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Mites !!!!!! Aaarrrggghhhh

Discussion in 'Issues, Disease and Pests' started by KellyW, Oct 14, 2014.

  1. Oct 14, 2014 #1
    KellyW

    KellyW Orchid wonk Staff Member Supporting Member

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    After years of growing orchids without a mite issue, it finally happened. Mites.
    The Imidicloprid products and Sevin, which is what I alternate between, do not work on mites. I know I can use insecticidal soaps, Sucra Shield, and other contact agents. However I am interested in an effective systemic product to use against these critters. Any suggestions?

    BTW, the mites are currently causing damage to soft leaved Pleurothallids.
     
  2. Oct 14, 2014 #2
    sam1147

    sam1147 sam1147

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    Hi .
    I do not 'envy' you....For me they are the worse.

    I got rid of them only after spraying 3 times ' Malation' ( at 10 days intervals). The scientific name
    it goes by is 'dimethoxythiophosphorylthio'. This is one of the oldest insecticides and I am sure you can find it . On days 5 15 & 25 I recommend also neem oil spray.
    Both with some soap.

    Good luck(you will need it ).
     
  3. Oct 14, 2014 #3
    Ray

    Ray Orchid Iconoclast Supporting Member

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    Malathion is not a miticide...

    About the only systemic miticide I'm aware of is Kontos - and you can get that through Amazon for "only" $160 for 250 ml!!!

    I would also encourage you to discontinue the imidicloprid, as there have been studies that indicate it can actually make mite infestations worse.
     
  4. Oct 14, 2014 #4
    KellyW

    KellyW Orchid wonk Staff Member Supporting Member

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    Sam and Ray, thanks for responding. :cool:
     
  5. Oct 14, 2014 #5
    Marni

    Marni Well-Known Member Staff Member Supporting Member

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    I suggest Avid. It is not a systemic, but it does translocate through the leaves so you don't need to get a direct hit. Works on both mites and false spider mite (a likely cuprit on pleurothallids). Also note that many miticides do not kill false spider mites. Avid has proven very effective for me.
     
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  6. Oct 14, 2014 #6
    chicago chad

    chicago chad Active Member

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    Marni how have you Oxyglossums done with the treatments of Avid? Any negative reactions?
     
  7. Oct 14, 2014 #7
    Marni

    Marni Well-Known Member Staff Member Supporting Member

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    No problem whatsoever. The last outbreak I had was on the Den cuthbertsonii and they improved after the spraying regimen.
     
  8. Oct 14, 2014 #8
    annabanana1987

    annabanana1987 Active Member

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    Im no help in the discussion other then my best wishes towards your war ! Let you win with little casualties! ♡♡
     
    KellyW likes this.
  9. Oct 14, 2014 #9
    KellyW

    KellyW Orchid wonk Staff Member Supporting Member

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    Thanks, Marni. After seeing your post I did some reading. It sounds very effective. I already located some generic Abamectin for sale which is cheaper than Avid.
     
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  10. Oct 14, 2014 #10
    DeafOrchidLover

    DeafOrchidLover Member

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    I've heard of avid, it does really well. You can find them through amazon for small dose such as avid or other kind for $20 bucks. Oh no! I'm sorry to hear about your plant. Good luck! :(
     
  11. Oct 15, 2014 #11
    sam1147

    sam1147 sam1147

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    Ray- Right & I do not have the knowledge to argue....
    However Malathion + Neem did the work with mine and were much easier and cheaper then
    the need to rotate few kinds of miticides during the same treatment.

    P.s - Avid is only Abamectin and I think that Sulfur & Mancozeb + more are needed to get rid of
    this plague
     
    Last edited: Oct 15, 2014
  12. Oct 15, 2014 #12
    T. migratoris

    T. migratoris Active Member

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    I tank-mix Avid and Tetrasan & spray all surfaces three times separated by 7-10 days. Extremely effective.
     
  13. Oct 15, 2014 #13
    sam1147

    sam1147 sam1147

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    Thanks R.
    Maybe I will try this combination (other names ) if ever I will need it .
     
  14. Oct 20, 2014 #14
    Mike Leone

    Mike Leone Acme Orchidarium Co. acmeorchidarium.com Forum Sponsor

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    I recently used AVID on Marni's recommendation for treatment of false spider mites on cuthbertsonii with good results, But I did notice some damage to new growth on Lepanthes telipogoniflora and a few other Lepanthes
    So I would remove any Lepanthes species before using AVID especially if they have new growth.
     
  15. Oct 20, 2014 #15
    Mike Leone

    Mike Leone Acme Orchidarium Co. acmeorchidarium.com Forum Sponsor

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    PS. AVID is expensive but you can get it in small repackaged quantities on Amazon.