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South Dakota

Discovered an early infestation of spider mites on my watermelon plant. Applied neem oil with a mist blower and got good coverage top and bottom. My question is if there is a different chemical I could rotate into my schedule that will kill mites. Is there a systemic, what about merit, will that kill mites? Thanks.

6/15/2021 9:59:40 PM

abamectin

6/15/2021 10:24:28 PM

South Arkansas

Follow Don's advice as soon as possible. Avid contains that chemical or you can go with a generic. You can find it at lots of internet sites like ebay. It works.

6/16/2021 10:43:02 PM

Bethlehem CT

Spider mites are a real problem? Lloyd's right try to get it under control now! Let me know how it goes. I am already fighting them here. You did the right thing to aggresively treat it. As a side note it is unlikely your mites can develop any resistance to neem oil. As one of it's modes of action is as an oil, (it suffocates). There is no danger of mites or insects developing resistance to a pesticide that works with a mechanical action. The only problem with oils is that they can be hard on the leaves if it gets too hot after and application. So try to avoid them during a heat wave.

6/17/2021 7:52:56 AM

Central Illinois

what Don said

6/18/2021 5:47:38 AM

South Dakota

Thanks everyone, I have some abamectin on order. That stuff isn't cheap, but I got a 10 year supply!

6/18/2021 8:11:04 AM

Partlow,Va

bifen is a contact and will work somewhat for them also. It will kill the adults but not completely rid you of them. For sure use abamectin. neem oil is too risky for me to use because of the heat. Neem oil works by burning the protective wax-like coating off the mites to kill them. but can also burn off the wax like coating off your leaves and can burn them also. There is another product called safer soap some growers use for mites and aphids also

6/18/2021 9:45:56 AM