Sulfur for spider mites? - Page 2

Sun City Linda · July 11, 2011

B54red - Thanks for the confirmation. Yes, as time goes by the mite problem is definately getting better and not worse. The powder is kind of a pain but I have a duster spreader that gets under the leaves real well. Gets windy at dusk however, which is when I need to apply. So funny, I am off to buys more today too. I have stopped buying large sizes of things until I see how they work. lol LInda

b54red · July 13, 2011

Linda the sulfur seems to have helped a good deal but by no means has it gotten rid of the little buggers. I don't know if anything will completely clear them out. I think I will try a spray with poison and soap next and then alternate with the sulfur when the afternoon thunderstorms stop for a while. It is too expensive the keep dusting only to have it washed off a few hours later. The high humidity and rainfall seem to have no detrimental effect on the spider mite population.

Sun City Linda · July 13, 2011

B54red- I would like to to rotate also. I have Castille soap as a base, not sure what to add. I have some spinosad but I think it has an oil base, will check. Next year I hope to use neem oil as preventative. This year, like you just trying to keep ahead of the game.

LInda

b54red · July 13, 2011

I am going to use soap, pyrethrem, and peppermint oil or clove oil. If the weather were a little cooler I would use a weak mix of dormant oil spray which I have found effective in the past when combined with a pesticide.

Heritage · July 13, 2011

b54 and Linda,

Thanks for the updates... good info. I'll be adding sulfur to my mite arsenal.

Steve

b54red · August 5, 2011

Well we've had a few days without any rain but the temps are supposedly too high to apply sulfur. There is still a good chance for afternoon thunderstorms every day and on into the next week or so. I guess I'm going to have to use the Malathion spray this afternoon if it doesn't rain. I've had little success with Permethrin, soapy water or Neem oil. I've waited as long as I can and the infestation is really ruining my plants. I don't like using a poison as strong as Malathion but the little buggers are really hard to control this season. I just hope I haven't waited too long.

b54red · August 15, 2011

The malathion has done a very good job in cutting down on the spider mite population; but as expected I got some limited leaf damage using it at the strength recommended for spider mites. The plants look so much better now especially the young ones. In this heat the spider mites really take a toll on the plants and it looks like it will remain at least in the mid 90s for the foreseeable future.

July 11, 2011	#16
Sun City Linda Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: SoCal Inland Posts: 2,705	B54red - Thanks for the confirmation. Yes, as time goes by the mite problem is definately getting better and not worse. The powder is kind of a pain but I have a duster spreader that gets under the leaves real well. Gets windy at dusk however, which is when I need to apply. So funny, I am off to buys more today too. I have stopped buying large sizes of things until I see how they work. lol LInda

July 13, 2011	#17
b54red Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Alabama Posts: 7,068	Linda the sulfur seems to have helped a good deal but by no means has it gotten rid of the little buggers. I don't know if anything will completely clear them out. I think I will try a spray with poison and soap next and then alternate with the sulfur when the afternoon thunderstorms stop for a while. It is too expensive the keep dusting only to have it washed off a few hours later. The high humidity and rainfall seem to have no detrimental effect on the spider mite population.

July 13, 2011	#20
Heritage Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: San Diego Posts: 1,255	b54 and Linda, Thanks for the updates... good info. I'll be adding sulfur to my mite arsenal. Steve

August 5, 2011	#21
b54red Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Alabama Posts: 7,068	Well we've had a few days without any rain but the temps are supposedly too high to apply sulfur. There is still a good chance for afternoon thunderstorms every day and on into the next week or so. I guess I'm going to have to use the Malathion spray this afternoon if it doesn't rain. I've had little success with Permethrin, soapy water or Neem oil. I've waited as long as I can and the infestation is really ruining my plants. I don't like using a poison as strong as Malathion but the little buggers are really hard to control this season. I just hope I haven't waited too long.

August 15, 2011	#22
b54red Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Alabama Posts: 7,068	The malathion has done a very good job in cutting down on the spider mite population; but as expected I got some limited leaf damage using it at the strength recommended for spider mites. The plants look so much better now especially the young ones. In this heat the spider mites really take a toll on the plants and it looks like it will remain at least in the mid 90s for the foreseeable future.