Spider Mites

Dewayne mater · May 21, 2012

Ladybugs are a good choice early in the game. Once your plants are almost succumbing to the onslaught, they won't get the job done in my experience.

I'm guessing Miami, like Texas, the mite issue is intensified with additional heat and sun. If your plants are stressed by anything, in they move, and too much heat and sun are enough stress, even if you don't have disease. I get the argument that insecticides will wipe out indiscriminately, good and bad bugs, and then the bad ones takes over. However, I've had years where the only insecticide used was neem and b.t. and yet spider mites population goes wild. In harsh conditions, they thrive, and once they thrive, you either bring out the big guns, or you lose, imo.

Dewayne mater

May 21, 2012	#11
Dewayne mater Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2008 Location: DFW, Texas Posts: 1,212	Ladybugs are a good choice early in the game. Once your plants are almost succumbing to the onslaught, they won't get the job done in my experience. I'm guessing Miami, like Texas, the mite issue is intensified with additional heat and sun. If your plants are stressed by anything, in they move, and too much heat and sun are enough stress, even if you don't have disease. I get the argument that insecticides will wipe out indiscriminately, good and bad bugs, and then the bad ones takes over. However, I've had years where the only insecticide used was neem and b.t. and yet spider mites population goes wild. In harsh conditions, they thrive, and once they thrive, you either bring out the big guns, or you lose, imo. Dewayne mater