[CH] Re: Aphids - Spider Mites
J.D.Scudder (supervisor@scudder.sbceo.k12.ca.us)
Thu, 10 Dec 1998 07:10:57 -0800
Spider mites are supposed to prefer hot-dry conditions. I live on the
Central Coast of California, neither particularly hot or dry, but I had
major trouble with the little b*****ds this last year. I rotated
insecticides for about six weeks with some success however I could never
find the insecticide suggested to me by several list members, Kelthane.
Spider mites have a breeding cycle that varies according to temperature so
you have to spray often, rotating the insecticide because they develop
tolerance quickly.
I finally achieved a balance of good-guys/bad-buys by importing ladybugs,
lacewing larvae, and predator mites (YKYACHI you become deleriously happy
when you find adult lacewings lurking amongst your chile plants). There
are different predator mites for different climatic conditions, some of
which can get quite pricey. Fortunately the least expensive, Amblyseius
cucumeris (if I didn't spell it right I still can't pronounce it) seemed to
like this climate. Beneficial bugs are a good way to go, though they can
get pricey. I spent about $50-75 on them, hence my wife's reference to
"Doug's Multi-Million Dollar Chile Project".
Hope this helps. I would think that, if the ladybugs have packed it in for
the season, the spider mites can't be far behind. Good Luck.
In Chiles,
Doug
*************************************************************
* For the sake of tolerance do we tolerate the intolerable? *
*************************************************************