Have you tried predatory mites for spider mite infestations? I'm giving it a go.

[chad2468emr]

After becoming incredibly fatigued in spraying down my four dozen potted outdoor palms (plus another two dozen or so miscellaneous other plants) with neem / soap every other day, and then rinsing several hours later to prevent leaf burn, combined with treatments using ineffective poisons once per week, I'm giving a batch of 2,000 P. persimilus a shot.

Not only am I tired of dealing with it, but I noticed on Sunday that my 6 foot tall indoor cat palm (that has been flourishing under grow lights in a room that has zero natural light, which I was very proud of, haha) had become loaded with two spotted mites, just when I was sort of getting my infestation of red mites under control outside. I didn't want to spray soap / oil / poison inside my home for fear of contamination or ruining the walls, and I wasn't about to expose my outdoor palms to this NEW species even for a moment before I soaked the plant in soap after hauling it outside, so I left it quarantined in the corner of my living room and ordered some P. persimilis. 

I vigorously hosed off my outdoor palms (and had help from a few torrential downpours) to remove any residual neem / soap / poison from the plants over the last few days. I just released all 2,000 all over the palms in front of my home, all over the palms behind it on my screened-in patio, and all over the cat palm in my living room. There likely aren't anywhere near enough spider mites left to support a 2,000 predatory mite population, but I'm willing to sacrifice them if it means they've eaten all of the remaining spider mites and their eggs by the time they starve. (Sorry, little guys... haha) I also sprinkled them on all of the HOA-placed (ugly) bushes / plants nearby hoping that any mites on those are eaten as well. I figure once these guys run out of food, they'll fan out and search even further out in my area for other spider mites to consume. Maybe I'll end up helping my neighbors out and not even realize it!

I'll see how this goes and report back here in a few weeks. I'm tired of spraying, and I'm tired of poison. As neurotic as I can be, I'll do my best to be hands-off and not intervene and SOAK the plant in something should I see an occasional mite. I'll do my best to only intervene should I see real damage starting to show up, and I'll only do it on that one plant. I figure if I have to fork over $40 a month from now to replenish the population of these predatory mites, it'll be cheaper and less time-consuming than how much money I've spent on neem, pesticides, etc. over the last three weeks alone. 

Has anyone here given them a shot in the past? How did it go? Any tips to help me succeed? 

Edited October 28, 2020 by chad2468emr

[Frond-friend42]

Quite the battle, eh?

Summer Rayne has a lot of plant videos on You Tube and likes that sort of thing. She's really into avoids. Her videos are called "plantoneonme". Im sure she has some videos on the subject in case you haven't seen them.

I have a smaller problem with these, indoors. My pyrethrin-based product appears to work but only temporarily.

I'd like to invest in some geckos. Maybe a bunch of geckos in my hothouse will just eat all the pests, plus they look cool hanging out on the walls.  Good idea, right?

[chad2468emr]

  On 10/28/2020 at 6:00 PM, Frond-friend42 said:

Quite the battle, eh?

Summer Rayne has a lot of plant videos on You Tube and likes that sort of thing. She's really into avoids. Her videos are called "plantoneonme". Im sure she has some videos on the subject in case you haven't seen them.

I have a smaller problem with these, indoors. My pyrethrin-based product appears to work but only temporarily.

I'd like to invest in some geckos. Maybe a bunch of geckos in my hothouse will just eat all the pests, plus they look cool hanging out on the walls.  Good idea, right?

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Quite the battle indeed! No mites seen so far since their release, but honestly no predatory mites seen since release either, haha. They’re so hard to see! Even smaller than normal spider mites, at least at the size I was sent. 

Interesting idea on the geckos, but I’m not sure they eat stuff as small as spider mites. I think they need to see more motion from their food to activate a feeding response and mites are pretty darn small. 

[Silas_Sancona]

  On 10/29/2020 at 8:35 PM, chad2468emr said:

Quite the battle indeed! No mites seen so far since their release, but honestly no predatory mites seen since release either, haha. They’re so hard to see! Even smaller than normal spider mites, at least at the size I was sent. 

Interesting idea on the geckos, but I’m not sure they eat stuff as small as spider mites. I think they need to see more motion from their food to activate a feeding response and mites are pretty darn small. 

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^^ Agree,  New born Geckos/ other Lizards, etc might try a few but mostly eat bugs no smaller than pin head sized crickets. Think a few Frogs/Toads might also consume Fruit fly sized things just after transforming from Tadpoles.

As far as Predatory mites, possible you were sent smaller ones.. have them here and while tiny, adults are pretty easy to spot when crawling across a wall, other flat surfaces. We also have a species of Velvet Mite ( Giant Red Velvet Mite ) that emerges in droves for a few days only after our summer storms and is bigger than typical Predatory Mites. Larvae are parasites of beetle grubs, other soil dwelling things. Adults consume the eggs of other bugs. Not sure that includes Spider Mites though.

[Johnny Palmseed]

  On 10/28/2020 at 6:00 PM, Frond-friend42 said:

Quite the battle, eh?

Summer Rayne has a lot of plant videos on You Tube and likes that sort of thing. She's really into avoids. Her videos are called "plantoneonme". Im sure she has some videos on the subject in case you haven't seen them.

I have a smaller problem with these, indoors. My pyrethrin-based product appears to work but only temporarily.

I'd like to invest in some geckos. Maybe a bunch of geckos in my hothouse will just eat all the pests, plus they look cool hanging out on the walls.  Good idea, right?

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I wouldn’t recommend geckos. The stuff they are looking to eat is larger, like spiders. And if you let them loose, they could become a major nuisance like has occurred here. I never saw a gecko while living in Jacksonville but started to see them when we moved here in Merritt Island about 150 miles south. They breed like crazy and I don’t think they have any predators besides maybe feral cats which are an ecological disaster as well. I got tired of having them get in the house as they are always hiding from light and you find them when turning on lights in a dark room or opening cabinets, etc. They are ridiculously fast and very hard to catch. They adapt very well to houses and live in the tiniest cracks. Poisons aren’t recommended as it is difficult to target them without indiscriminately killing other things. I attempted to eradicate them from my house inside and out by sucking them up in a shop vac to no avail. It worked but the colony of 30-40 was quickly replaced by others.

[Silas_Sancona]

  On 10/29/2020 at 9:37 PM, Johnny Palmseed said:

I wouldn’t recommend geckos. The stuff they are looking to eat is larger, like spiders. And if you let them loose, they could become a major nuisance like has occurred here. I never saw a gecko while living in Jacksonville but started to see them when we moved here in Merritt Island about 150 miles south. They breed like crazy and I don’t think they have any predators besides maybe feral cats which are an ecological disaster as well. I got tired of having them get in the house as they are always hiding from light and you find them when turning on lights in a dark room or opening cabinets, etc. They are ridiculously fast and very hard to catch. They adapt very well to houses and live in the tiniest cracks. Poisons aren’t recommended as it is difficult to target them without indiscriminately killing other things. I attempted to eradicate them from my house inside and out by sucking them up in a shop vac to no avail. It worked but the colony of 30-40 was quickly replaced by others.

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I myself wish i had more ( Geckos/ other Lizards ) around, inc. those like Tokays/ Day Geckos..  Fun to observe/study and keep the bugs down, without the nasty side effects pesticides often have. We have a couple sp. of Spiny Lizards which will come to your patio at certain times of the day, or eat out of your hand once " trained ".  As far as having no predators, BIG spiders ( Huntsman, some Orb Weavers.. even fat Black Widows ( here ) ) will snatch up the little guys if they can.. Several types of birds will also eat them if they can catch them. 

Have never understood a fear of Reptiles/ Amphibians.. Critters in general.

[James B]

I have but outdoors. As my palm garden has gotten more dense they have been a more common sight on my palms in specific spots usually in the middle of my main jungle area. Did the trick. I also have a horrible time year with spider mites on my tomato plants. I got sick of using toxic pesticides so I tried them. They worked but only for a few weeks then you need to buy more especially with tomatoes. But with palms I never have more than a couple on one plant so unleashing a bottle full does the trick.

[chad2468emr]

  On 10/30/2020 at 12:13 AM, James B said:

I have but outdoors. As my palm garden has gotten more dense they have been a more common sight on my palms in specific spots usually in the middle of my main jungle area. Did the trick. I also have a horrible time year with spider mites on my tomato plants. I got sick of using toxic pesticides so I tried them. They worked but only for a few weeks then you need to buy more especially with tomatoes. But with palms I never have more than a couple on one plant so unleashing a bottle full does the trick.

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Good to know! All my potted palms are outdoors because I live in FL but am renting. I have only seen one red mite since releasing, and he got a solid thumbing. Other than that, I don’t know if it’s the spraying I did finally reflecting in their numbers, the predatory mites, or a combo of the two, but I haven’t seen a single one! Even on my indoor cat palm. The thing is a ghost town and it makes me REAL happy to say the least.  

  On 10/29/2020 at 10:57 PM, Silas_Sancona said:

I myself wish i had more ( Geckos/ other Lizards ) around, inc. those like Tokays/ Day Geckos..  Fun to observe/study and keep the bugs down, without the nasty side effects pesticides often have.

Have never understood a fear of Reptiles/ Amphibians.. Critters in general.

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SAME. Living in south Florida, I was surrounded by a plethora of invasive reptiles but they were just a joy to watch. The only ones that bothered me were the curly tailed lizards and invasive anole species because they hurt the population of green anoles (native to FL) so badly. I saw maybe a dozen or so green anoles for the 7 years I lived in SFL, and several dozen of the others per day. The other species are so much more voracious and active and green anoles have been out-competed as a result. Cuban Knight anoles were cool to see though, because they’re so large and really pretty, but MAN are those things mean. (I tend to try and touch things I shouldn’t and may or may not have bled on several occasions hahaha) 

Aside from those, the iguanas, basilisk lizards, etc. really didn’t bother me because they weren’t competing with any native species. I did have a TON of green ameivas living around me in a townhome I rented in Plantation (Broward) and they were fascinating because they were basically mini monitor lizards, though I’m sure they hurt the anole population as well since they’d eat them. 

The whole Burmese python thing is a whole other rant, and while they’re cool, they are definitely bad for the environment. Sadly, I never came across any since they really tend to stick to the glades or neighborhoods within / directly adjacent. I have a five pound chihuahua so I guess I’m better for it, though. That would be traumatic...

Now living in Orlando, I don’t see nearly as many species of lizards. I’ve considered bulk ordering a couple dozen or so green anoles and releasing in my new spot since they’re native and it would help their local population, but I haven’t made the leap yet. I don’t even see that many invasive anoles here either, to be honest. I live in the boonies now so I was really expecting a TON of lizards but the mildly cooler climate seems to limit more than the palms I can keep outside year round. 

[Silas_Sancona]

  On 11/1/2020 at 3:42 PM, chad2468emr said:

Good to know! All my potted palms are outdoors because I live in FL but am renting. I have only seen one red mite since releasing, and he got a solid thumbing. Other than that, I don’t know if it’s the spraying I did finally reflecting in their numbers, the predatory mites, or a combo of the two, but I haven’t seen a single one! Even on my indoor cat palm. The thing is a ghost town and it makes me REAL happy to say the least.  

SAME. Living in south Florida, I was surrounded by a plethora of invasive reptiles but they were just a joy to watch. The only ones that bothered me were the curly tailed lizards and invasive anole species because they hurt the population of green anoles (native to FL) so badly. I saw maybe a dozen or so green anoles for the 7 years I lived in SFL, and several dozen of the others per day. The other species are so much more voracious and active and green anoles have been out-competed as a result. Cuban Knight anoles were cool to see though, because they’re so large and really pretty, but MAN are those things mean. (I tend to try and touch things I shouldn’t and may or may not have bled on several occasions hahaha) 

Aside from those, the iguanas, basilisk lizards, etc. really didn’t bother me because they weren’t competing with any native species. I did have a TON of green ameivas living around me in a townhome I rented in Plantation (Broward) and they were fascinating because they were basically mini monitor lizards, though I’m sure they hurt the anole population as well since they’d eat them. 

The whole Burmese python thing is a whole other rant, and while they’re cool, they are definitely bad for the environment. Sadly, I never came across any since they really tend to stick to the glades or neighborhoods within / directly adjacent. I have a five pound chihuahua so I guess I’m better for it, though. That would be traumatic...

Now living in Orlando, I don’t see nearly as many species of lizards. I’ve considered bulk ordering a couple dozen or so green anoles and releasing in my new spot since they’re native and it would help their local population, but I haven’t made the leap yet. I don’t even see that many invasive anoles here either, to be honest. I live in the boonies now so I was really expecting a TON of lizards but the mildly cooler climate seems to limit more than the palms I can keep outside year round. 

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Agree regarding Pythons.. Definitely negative on the local environment though i'd imagine, over time, local wildlife will adjust to their presence ( still good to keep their numbers down though - the Pythons- ) Same thoughts about Feral Cats..

As far as Anoles,  Remember all the talk regarding the same issue when i lived there, then -not sure who was studying  the topic more- there was talk that Green Anole might not be as impacted as first thought.. Suggested idea was the presence of Brown Anole was making Greens retreat higher up into tree canopies, which is already part of their natural habitat preference, so, at least as suggested, while you might see less Green Anole -at ground level-  they're still around.  Both are present and expanding territory out in Southern CA. so it will be interesting to see which dominates.. West has dozens of day active,  non-aboreal Lizards so my thought is it would be those that might be impacted more, while Green Anole fill a niche that is basically unoccupied in that part of the country..  Have also heard, like you mention, the Pioneering Brown Anole are already facing competition/ being eaten by some other new- to- the- area lizards.. Maybe Cuban Knights down south? Makes sense though, would see Fish Crows/ various wading birds snatch them up every so often.

Geckos.. those like Mediterranean, Tropical house ( Wood slaves )/ many others are some of the few lizards that will readily take advantage of human created habitats and help keep bugs that might get into the house down. Because they tend to be more active at night, would imagine there would be less predation impact from Anoles /  other Iguanid-type lizards like Spinys/ Fence Lizards ( Blue Bellies ) Have a juvenile Med. that seems to know where the best place on the patio is to catch Crickets... Right in front of the patio door, lol.. Open it and he scurries off to some place behind some pots i have nearby.. Go back outside an hour or so later, he's in the same spot. Have to watch where you step when you first open the door. Weird year too.. despite the complete lack of rain and extreme heat this summer here, lots of baby Geckos/ native Ornate Tree Lizards this year compared to the past 3.

[chad2468emr]

  On 11/1/2020 at 4:24 PM, Silas_Sancona said:

... Green Anole might not be as impacted as first thought.. Suggested idea was the presence of Brown Anole was making Greens retreat higher up into tree canopies, which is already part of their natural habitat preference, so, at least as suggested, while you might see less Green Anole -at ground level-  they're still around. 

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I’ve read that too, actually! It made me happy, haha. Interestingly, one green anole I saw most frequently was one living outside my office window on a second story office where he was on the window / structures on the building every day and I remember thinking about this study when I realized he was living that high up almost exclusively. 

Weirdly, I see almost NO house geckos and other gecko species here in central FL. I thought they’d had a good degree of cold tolerance, so I expected to see a ton, but mostly I just see a TON of tree frogs stuck to my house at night. Admittedly, I’m not the best at identifying amphibian species as compared to lizards / snakes so I’m not sure what they are. But they are large enough to feed on smaller gecko species so that might be why I don’t see them as much. I did catch one one time that got inside and released him, but that’s all I’ve seen. 

On the topic of amphibians, I will say it’s a huge relief to not have to scan for cane toads any time I walk my dog at night. There were HORDES Of them living around my last apartment in SFL since there was a lake and I’d have to stop him from chasing several of them each time I’d walk him at night since they’re deadly poisonous, especially to small dogs. 

Edited November 1, 2020 by chad2468emr

[Silas_Sancona]

  On 11/1/2020 at 4:33 PM, chad2468emr said:

I’ve read that too, actually! It made me happy, haha. Interestingly, one green anole I saw most frequently was one living outside my office window on a second story office where he was on the window / structures on the building every day and I remember thinking about this study when I realized he was living that high up almost exclusively. 

Weirdly, I see almost NO house geckos and other gecko species here in central FL. I thought they’d had a good degree of cold tolerance, so I expected to see a ton, but mostly I just see a TON of tree frogs stuck to my house at night. Admittedly, I’m not the best at identifying amphibian species as compared to lizards / snakes so I’m not sure what they are. But they are large enough to feed on smaller gecko species so that might be why I don’t see them as much. I did catch one one time that got inside and released him, but that’s all I’ve seen. 

On the topic of amphibians, I will say it’s a huge relief to not have to scan for cane toads any time I walk my dog at night. There were HORDES Of them living around my last apartment in SFL since there was a lake and I’d have to stop him from chasing several of them each time I’d walk him at night since they’re deadly poisonous, especially to small dogs. 

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Bet the frogs you're seeing are Cuban Tree frogs.. the other recent newcomer from that part of the Caribbean thats been rapidly expanding territory in FL.. They will definitely eat small lizards/  native tree frogs as adults.  We don't have cane toads here in AZ ( -yet, hopefully never ) but do have Colorado River toads which are almost as big, and also toxic if caught by dogs.. Spadefoot Toads can also secrete toxins from their skin though it might not be as toxic as the others.

When i lived in Bradenton, i'd find a few med. geckos around the house, esp. in summer. Only Tropical House Gecko i found was out in the green space/swale between the house, and nearby Condo complex while removing trash/overgrown brush.