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Old March 18, 2016   #52
b54red
Tomatovillian™
 
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Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Alabama
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jpop View Post
Any ideas if DE will work to prevent tomato russet mites or suck bugs?
Used like I describe in my above post it should work on them since it effectively eliminated spider mites and aphids in my garden last summer without frequent use. Every other method of controlling spider mites has required very frequent spraying, sometimes as often as every 2 or 3 days, to get them under control and the same for aphids. There is one drawback other than the mixing process and that is you will effectively get rid of any beneficial insects until the DE is washed off. Right now I wouldn't consider using it in my garden because it is chock full of ladybugs but they usually leave along with most other beneficials when it heats up good and as a result the pests start taking over. That is when I start using my mix of DE, soapy water and Permethin. I usually start with one good spraying followed by another a week later to get the pests back under control and then after heavy rains or every 3 to 4 weeks until the late fall.

Bill
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