[tenoftrades]

I am at day 43 of flower and about a week ago I noticed some spotting on my leaves. Sure enough spider mites. I added Azamax to my water right then and a today, three days later. I still see mites today and I have been spraying cold water to knock them down everyday. Today I ordered some lady bugs from my local grow store and wanted to know if anyone had any advice or experience on ladybugs vs Spider mites? All replies are much appreciated.

[audiohi]

I used some ladybugs once. They flew right into the lights and died. Then I used azamax as a foliar spray to get rid of them.

[tenoftrades]

I have air cooled hoods so I they shouldn't die to quick. I use the Azamax foliar spray in Veg but I didn't think it was a good idea this late in flower.

[The Phoenix]

I will never use any chemicals on my plants, even the ones considered safe like neem. When ladybugs are present, my plants are mite free. I love that I can get them on the internet anytime I need them. They stick around as long as there is food, so it takes many applications of them throughout the season. I have used them for indoor grows a couple times, but they are a mess.

[kmk420kali]

Originally Posted by tenoftrades

I use the Azamax foliar spray in Veg but I didn't think it was a good idea this late in flower.

Since it is systemic..you might have been better off spraying-- At least you could rinse them at harvest--

[TNJed]

Originally Posted by The Phoenix

I will never use any chemicals on my plants, even the ones considered safe like neem. When ladybugs are present, my plants are mite free. I love that I can get them on the internet anytime I need them. They stick around as long as there is food, so it takes many applications of them throughout the season. I have used them for indoor grows a couple times, but they are a mess.

Isn't neem a natural oil, extracted from plants, and not a "chemical"?

Lady bugs don't work so well, but there are other kinds of beneficial insects that work great.

[morrisgreenberg]

i agree, i used to swear by lady bugs, they are only good in large amounts only when you have a small mite population and that wont totally rid your garden, a heavy colony of mites will lynch the lady bugs. you want the master recipe on how to get rid of mites? get on ebay and pick up an ounce of Floramite. they sell small amounts like this for $20. then pick up a bottle of Azatrol. you spray the plants down with flora mite and add azatrol to your water at 3ml/gallon. this is the only thing i have tried and it works. forget pyrethrium bombs and no pest strips and azamax, unless you are using expensive products you have no chance

[the gnome]

Ive had mites twice
I used no pest strips on em and they were DOA the next day
no dunking or spraying with nasty chems which is a pita anyways but even more if you have 20+ 4ft plants.

nationwide posted last week about his mite probs
he tried out NPS's, dead mite bodies everywhere is the message I got from him a
few days later

soooo east to use and they work like a charm and 100% kill rate if used properly

[morrisgreenberg]

mites need to be treated with a multi pronged attack. the azatrol is systemic and kills mites 3 ways, its goes after mites reproductive system, it also tells the mites they are full so they wont eat, therefore they keel over and die, and it kills on contact. the floramite is best because it kills on contact and it also kills the eggs, thats the key in this battle. the flora mite gives you a month of protection, azatrol in the rez will be absorbed in about 10 days adding an additional month of protection, this is key when ur deep into flowering and can no longer spray, give your last application of azatrol 3-4 weeks before harvest and you will not taste anything funny at all, it is also a neem based product which makes it have a similar consistancy to regular neem oil. follow my advice and you will never see a mite, thrip or gnat ever again. 3-4 total applications from start to finish. personally azamax is cheaper than azatrol but not nearly as effective IMHO