[VortexPower420]

I discovered the power of predatory bug s with a mite and aphid infestation. Total annilation and no effort.

I hope I never have to deal with this problem though.

[Dion]

Originally Posted by moses wellfleet

And a lot less work!!!

so the swrskii will def destroy the broads?

I have a chilli or two in the veg area- I hear they can live off pollen from chilli, plus they are generalists- do you think it's possible they could establish in there? protect future grows as well?

Originally Posted by VortexPower420

I discovered the power of predatory bug s with a mite and aphid infestation. Total annilation and no effort.

I hope I never have to deal with this problem though.

for me it was my first time dealing with spider mites- recommended (acording to the science articles) was smth like 40 predators per sq meter but the smallest pack I can buy in this local is 250- my garden is 1sq m- I put 8 of the 10 bags in the garden and the other 2 around the house plants

spider mites? nah brah- never see those anymore lol

[moses wellfleet]

I have never tried to keep them alive on pollen so I can't help much, the story goes they will survive on a diet of pollen. I suspect you would need a lot of pollen distributed around your room to maintain a viable population!

[Mikell]

Each pepper plant would produce more than enough pollen to sustain a localized mite population, though with lower fecundity.

What type of peppers?

Biobest sells a mixture of cat tail pollen and other feed, the application rate is quite low. The cost is high but cheaper than successive releases. Control of pest mites is increased with diet supplementation.

The issue comes after several generations, predator mites reared on artificial diets alone become very docile in comparison.

Has anyone successfully wiped out a broad infestation with swirskii? I ask because everything I've read academically references adequate but not complete control. 80-90% reduction. Bearing in mind controlled trials do not equate to field (or in our case, room) use.

It's been three years Moses, how has it gone? Any issues?

[Dion]

Well my Aquaponics area that recently went soil has been my veg area as well as peppers strawberries and lettuce

I'm not sure the exact species but bullhorn pepper, ring o fire and some other type


I too want to know if the swerskii can completely ereadiate the mites

[moses wellfleet]

Originally Posted by Mikell

Each pepper plant would produce more than enough pollen to sustain a localized mite population, though with lower fecundity.

What type of peppers?

Biobest sells a mixture of cat tail pollen and other feed, the application rate is quite low. The cost is high but cheaper than successive releases. Control of pest mites is increased with diet supplementation.

The issue comes after several generations, predator mites reared on artificial diets alone become very docile in comparison.

Has anyone successfully wiped out a broad infestation with swirskii? I ask because everything I've read academically references adequate but not complete control. 80-90% reduction. Bearing in mind controlled trials do not equate to field (or in our case, room) use.

It's been three years Moses, how has it gone? Any issues?

Hi Mikell, yes after three years I am still using Swirskiis. I briefly tried spraying with neudorff horticultural oil, which did work but it was too laborious. I think I would agree with something like 80-90% reduction, because the broads always become a problem again after a couple weeks.

[Dion]

Originally Posted by moses wellfleet

Hi Mikell, yes after three years I am still using Swirskiis. I briefly tried spraying with neudorff horticultural oil, which did work but it was too laborious. I think I would agree with something like 80-90% reduction, because the broads always become a problem again after a couple weeks.

Well that sucks to hear

Anything actually effective for broadmites?

[Mikell]

Heat treatment or failing that a rotation of insecticides.

[Dion]

I might just reset the garden, now is a good time to do that

[moses wellfleet]

As it says in Mikell's post adequate control but not complete.

If you find a way of 100% eradication please let us know.

Until then Swirskii mites is the best option for me!