Spider mite detection: the spider mite is one of the most well-known pests that growers and plants are concerned about. It belongs to the arachnids and has 8 legs. The spider mite is only 0.5mm in size and hardly visible to the naked eye. It is usually found as a tiny spot on the underside of the leaf, where it sucks the sap from the leaves. If you look closely, you can see spider webs on the stems and leaves. The best way to make the cobwebs visible is to spray water on them.
Damage: Spider mites damage the plant by sucking out the leaf and destroying the leaf cells.and destroy the leaf cells. Damaged leaves turn yellow and fall off. Once the canabis plant is infested, the damage usually spreads quickly. If the mites get too out of hand, the plant may even die.
Countermeasures: Cleanliness in the growroom and all equipment used is a very important point when controlling spider mites. Spider mites tend to thrive in dry and warm climates between 22-28 degrees. At higher temperatures above 27 degrees they multiply about every 5 days. If you lower the temperature to about 16 degrees, you can destroy them. With a small jet of water (e.g. from a plant sprayer) you can carefully rinse the spider mites from the underside of the leaves. This works especially well when the plant is still small. This way you can remove the spider mites manually. The leaves can also be washed carefully and lightly from both sides with a damp sponge. But be careful not to bring too much moisture into the growroom and constant spraying is not always a good solution.
Sticky traps should be set up and sticky trap resin applied to the edges of the pots. This prevents the spider mites from spreading beyond the pot rim to other plants.
Prevent spider mites by taking the following measures:
- Prevention is better than cure! It is always better to prevent an infestation by keeping the growroom clean.
- Sterilise the growroom with diluted bleach solution (chlorine) after each pass and during a pass.
- Keep the tools and utensils you use for growing clean and disinfect them regularly (chlorine, disinfectant for surfaces).
- Keep the indoor grow separate from the outdoor grow and also all the tools you use. It is very easy for spider mites to get into the growroom from outside.
- Pets, especially those with fur, should not go into the growroom, they very easily transmit pests and diseases through their fur.
- Do not enter the growroom with street shoes or garden shoes (+ clean clothes).
- If you install an additional filter in the supply air, you can effectively prevent parasites from getting into the Growbosx. After some time, you will be surprised how dirty such a supply air filter is.
- Always wash your hands before doing anything in the growroom or with the plants.
- consistently remove unnecessary textiles, objects or anything else from the growroom. These are all just unnecessary dust and vermin traps.
- Never keep old soil or dirty planters in or near the grow room.
With the Connection flange for Homeboxes (supply air filter), for example, pests and spider mites can be prevented from entering the grow box via the supply air inlet:
Antidote for spider mites: e.g. Neem oil, pyrethrum (Spruzit)
Pyrethrum (Spruzit): from the spray can is effective against spider mites and is a natural insecticide. It should be sprayed 2-3 times at intervals of 5 to 10 days. After that they should be gone. The new spider mites will hatch from the eggs after 5 to 10 days. Now the 2nd spray should be applied to destroy these mites as well. Disadvantage: Spider mites develop a resistance to synthetic pyrethrum after a certain time! The one in our shop is a natural one!
Neem oil: can also be used to repel spider mites, is very effective against many pests and especially against spider mites. The Neem oil from Plagron is particularly effective, absolutely organic, purely herbal and completely harmless. I prefer to use natural means when it comes to controlling pests. Besides, pests develop Little or no resistance with neem as is often the case with chemical preparations.
Spidermite Control: Spidermite Controll consists of vegetable oils and natural extracts that work quickly and effectively against pests such as spider mites, controlling them effectively and biologically.
Beneficial insects (voucher for beneficial insects) - predatory mites:
Beneficial insects can be used to safely and reliably control all kinds of pests. Beneficial insect vouchers are available with which one can conveniently, just-in-time and easily order the beneficial insects that are needed at the moment. Against spider mites are successfully Predatory mites used against spider mites.
Expelex - biological pest control:
Expelex is a natural strong-acting insecticide that is also effective against spin mites with a wide spectrum against a variety of other pests. It contains extracts of Chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum cinerariifolium) and potassium-containing soap. Expelex is completely free of chemical additives or toxins and is approved for organic farming.