Red Spider Mite and Mealy Bug OUTSIDE !!!

[Dave Brown]

I'm really fighting a loosing battle against this continuing dry weather, is costing me a fortune in water, and plants that have been outside for 2/3 months are being attacked by Red Spider Mite and Mealy Bug Colocasia in tubs are the worst affected, so is an indication that the atmosphere is drier than in beds.

I can't recall plants getting infected while outside before.

Anyone else having this problem

[Dim]

I've read that a few sprays with stuff called Neem Repel sorts it

[Yorkshire Kris]

Yes my trachys have Red Spider Mite outside!

[Dave Brown]

I've read that a few sprays with stuff called Neem Repel sorts it

I vaguely recall something saying Neem oil was toxic to some aroids. Also Colocasia have stomata on both sides of the leaves so oils suffocate them.

Yes my trachys have Red Spider Mite outside!

Trachies I thought they were too tough

[Yorkshire Kris]

So did I! Saying that my queen palm has had them before.

[Kristen]

I vaguely recall something saying Neem oil was toxic to some aroids. Also Colocasia have stomata on both sides of the leaves so oils suffocate them.

Dunno if it would work, but when I use Neem oil I hose the leaves down after a couple of hours. Have to apply the Neem oil every couple of days for a week or more to break the breeding cycle, so the leaves would have to be able to put up with treat/wash daily for that length of time.

Try one maybe? I've got a spare pot of Neem oil here left over from last year, happy to send it to you if you want to try. Dunno how well it keeps though ...

(That sounds like the sort of offer than a useless mate would make along the lines of "You can borrow my socks if you have forgotten yours, I've only being wearing them for a week" Sorry!)

[Yorkshire Kris]

For colocasias the only thing I really find to work is to totally remove ALL the leaves and even most of the stems then treat with a bug killer with a miticide in it and spray the soil as well.

[Mr List]

try putting them in drip trays also dave?

[kata]

None that I can say are in big numbers, usually I can get Red Spider Mite on the front door and window sill outside.

If its the white that attracts them I have no idea. Sorry to hear your having trouble Dave.

Red Spider Mite

http://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/advice/p ... pider_mite

Mealy bugs are not so good to have.
http://apps.rhs.org.uk/advicesearch/Pro ... px?PID=201

[Leigh]

Even the collies I have grown in my pond for the past 3yrs have had Red Spider Mite even with last years wet Summer, so I took a break from them this year. But I will say some of my Alocasias are suffering this year but they are a bit easier to treat
One thing I tried through the Winter on my Alos and other plants with the bonus of a nice smell
was Lavader oil mixed with water in a spray bottle and this seemed to keep them in check

Gonna be checking the Trachys now though, thanks for the heads up kris

[Yorkshire Kris]

Gonna be checking the Trachys now though, thanks for the heads up kris

I should say I've only found them on potted trachys that spent winter inside so maybe they have been lurking since then.

None that I can say are in big numbers, usually I can get Red Spider Mite on the front door and window sill outside.

If its the white that attracts them I have no idea. Sorry to hear your having trouble Dave.

Red Spider Mite

http://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/advice/p ... pider_mite

Mealy bugs are not so good to have.
http://apps.rhs.org.uk/advicesearch/Pro ... px?PID=201

Kata those are not the same red mites that attack our plants. Those that you find on rocks and door stops are these.

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=red+m ... 93&bih=496

[B19bst]

I suffer with red spider mites on my elephant plant. On the back is like a tiny web and the leaves almost get pulled in together.

[cordyman]

Would misting the plants every night help? Low on water consumption, greasy for foliage?

[pdid]

I use plant vitality plus inside which seems to do a good job of controlling them. I'm not sure of its effect on bees and the like if used outside though

[GREVILLE]

Got the same problem bit I have some control with hosing, misting and wiping the leaves as well as a couple of applications of the Vitality plus. I do have some very hot spots in the garden and I get this problem outside every hot summer.