Red spider mite

[reb78]

Just watered my young tomato plants and spotted red spider mite on them.

What solutions do you use - ones that you have used and know to work? More organic the better.

 

[500e]

Is that a Chicken bug as well

 

[reb78]

No. Different. Thats red mite. But they are very different.

(One sucks sap and the other blood.. for a start)

 

[Wozzaaah]

I've noticed them on mine too.

 

[julianf]

I'm sure there are more effective synthetics, but Pyrethrin will work.

It's (or was originally) from Chrysanthemums. IIRC it works by disrupting the synaptic gap in insects (although I may be making that up) but has no effect on mammals.

But...

They are fairly unstable. Ie no staying power. And need contact with the insect to work. And the insect eggs are immune.

So it will be a battle, with repeat applications needed. But that's what you get from wanting an aincient non systemic "food safe" etc.

 

[brewdexta]

My missus sent me this link

Glasshouse red spider mite / RHS Gardening

Glasshouse red spider mite is a common sap-feeding mite that can cause mottled leaves and early leaf loss on a wide range of greenhouse and garden plants. It is also known as two-spotted spider mite.

www.rhs.org.uk

 

[Porkypine]

I immediately thought of the things we used to get in the bed at the Elephant and Castle back in the day.! .

 

[frank horton]

we just use a little washing up liquid n water in a pump hand sprayer......old kitchen cleaner bottle.....
also works for green n red fly......

 

[Migmac]

we just use a little washing up liquid n water in a pump hand sprayer......old kitchen cleaner bottle.....
also works for green n red fly......

This

 

[reb78]

Thanks chaps. I was worried washing up liquid would be too strong. Just a dash in a bottle and spray the plant directly?

 

[Hopefuldave]

I've used fagend soup for years, boil them up (outdoors!), strain, dilute and spray

DaveH. (the other one)

 

[Turbo]

we just use a little washing up liquid n water in a pump hand sprayer......old kitchen cleaner bottle.....
also works for green n red fly......

Also works on the red mites on poultry!