i just added predator mites to control my spider mites. i heard that i should turn off the a/c. is this true?
Mites and their predators reproduction is regulated by temps. Reproduction of mites and their predators at 65F is a fraction of what it is at 85F. The best way to control mites during a grow is to use an insecticide to knick the mite pop. down, THEN introduce predators. The best way to get rid of em for good is to clean EVERYTHING between grows. Remove anything that can harbor mite eggs/babies in your growroom, like carpet, fabrics and dust.
spider mites are the most difficult of pests to eliminate.."IMHO". They're very quick to adapt/evolve a resistance to insecticides and other forms of elimination. Alternating treatments and, most of all, persistance will prevail. an interesting tid-bit on their lifecycle, A female lays about 100 eggs during her lifetime. Depending upon climate conditions, the eggs hatch in as little as 2-3 days, and the adult stage is reached in 7-10 days. The females reproduction is greatly affected by climate and humidity with a significant difference in the days till their maturity dependant upon the temperature i.e.) egg to adult. For instance at 60 degrees Fahrenheit, it takes 30 days for the egg to become an adult, at 70 degrees 14.5 days and here is the astounding number - 90 degrees Fahrenheit they reach adulthood in just 3.5 days! So now imagine those populations increases over a month when the offspring start to reproduce less than a week after hatching - at 70 degrees she and her offspring number 13,000; at 80 degrees she and her offspring represent a staggering potential of 13,000,000 individuals over a single month - huge population increases! Mites evaporate large quantities of water from their bodies, so they must suck juices from the plants. This is easier for them to do in a dry environment. Humid environments (above 60% RH) slow down their metabolism, life span and reproductive rate. Mites may be controlled somewhat by lowering the temperatures (at about 50 degrees Fahrenheit they start to hibernate), thus slowing down their life process considerable. Even if you only decrease the temperature during the indoor dark cycle (when it is easier to lower temperatures), the progression rate of the infestation is slowed considerable Mites need to transpire almost continually. I've read that a 50/50 mix of isapropol alcohol and water treatment sprayed over the entire surface kills existing populations, without any harmfull effects to plants. But it must be done cosistantly, every 2-3 days, over a 2-3 week period.
I battledem alot in the past. Things are lookin prety good now but when I need to get rid of mites I use neem oil. Sometimes it was a battle but it always kicked ass in the end. Ya gotta spray every 3rd day. 1 tsp neem oil per qt water. Sometimes I even use it to get rid of mildue.
