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Insects hurting me! HElp please.
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Posted by elkski Utah (My Page) on Tue, Sep 5, 06 at 13:04
I have 16 maters in two 5x10 beds. I started to see small aphid type insects on one plant i nthe corner a few weeks ago. I sprayed Mithalion twice to not much effect. I go out of town for a week and I return to see this has spread to almost all my plants. The first plants to be infected have turned milky and very sad. My production is way off and I have another 2-8 weeks till frost.
I see some winged creatures also. the main pest is aphid like. They are not Potato aphids. They have 8 legs and round to slightly oblong bodies. they have a snout that is clear and 4 legs out the front. The bodies are reddish to brown and the eys dont really stand out. SOme hsave two darker patches on their sides...
Please advise on nuclear chemicals to use!!
No waste of time using insecticidal soap for me ever again unless its a houseplant. |
Follow-Up Postings:
Sorry about hte poor grammar and spelling.
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| I used Malathion all summer to get the thrips. That is until production got going then I stopped. I used it twice more on this problem but it didn't do the trick. I mihgt have some more thrips. They just loved my heirloom brandywine!! I guess it has more juices on the surface? |
RE: Insects hurting me! HElp please.
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You have described what may be spider mites but they are usually too small to be seen clearly with the naked eye. Usually takes 15X to see legs and spots.
How big are yours ?
Kelthane is the nuclear option. Neem oil seems to work also. |
RE: Insects hurting me! HElp please.
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yes I can see reddish spots with the naked eye and a good one. I was looking with 30x to see the body features. I think what I have is the 2 spotted spider mite the dreaded one??
Since I have sprayed Malathion many time this summer for my thrip problem I think I have breed a resistant group of bugs.
I am going to strip pick everything with a touch of color tonight and nuke em with Diazinon (sic) plus ASAP Any comments on this?
How soon can I pick after this chemical? |
RE: Insects hurting me! HElp please.
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Check http://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/2000/2012.html
kelthane is available from Hi-Yeild/Fertilome. Sometimes hard to find. |
RE: Insects hurting me! HElp please.
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- Posted by jean001 z8aPortland, OR (My Page) on
Tue, Sep 5, 06 at 23:20
| Well, heck. If they are spider mites, insecticidal soap works fine. The key is to spray it on the pests which, in this case, are on the undersides of the leaves. Beyond that, if the pests are spider mites, understand that they typically go to stressed plants. So look at the plants' overall condition, also how you are taking care of them, to determine what's might be the underlying problem. |
RE: Insects hurting me! HElp please.
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Insecticidal soap didn't work well for me. I believe it is listed as one of the least effective treatments.
I cleared an infestation with one Kelthane treatment. I now alternate Daconil (for fungus prevention) and Neem oil at seven day intervals. Haven't found a mite since the Kelthane treatment, but find several beneficial lacewing eggs on each examination. Leaves that were unaffected before treatment are lush, green and blooming. |
RE: Insects hurting me! HElp please.
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I am on a mission for kelthane today. That link above says that it is best and diazinon is not so good.
http://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/2000/2012.html
Ijust picked everything with color. My plants are in poor shape I will try to post a picture soon as I can.. before the last year all I had to do was guard against hornworms. I guess those days are gone.. Seems it was about 2 years ago when I started to try new plant types... Prior to that I was an early girl, better boy gype of guy.. I think the brandywine will not be around next year as it was my thrip magnet that may ahve started this all. |
RE: Insects hurting me! HElp please.
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I don't think you can blame it on a variety. Mites can travel on the wind, like hot, dry weather and may overwinter in your garden. I grow in seven earthboxes so water and fertilizer variations are not a consideration. My problem started in the westernmost box and proceded East. I caught the problem in the three easternmost boxes before it got too far. Next year I will know what to look for and nip it in the bud.
Learn something new every year. |
RE: Insects hurting me! HElp please.
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Ok heres the update.
I found the kethane and also got a small 8 oz bottle of neem oil triple action. that was 33$. 2 1 gal sprayers was 27$
I saturated my 16 plants last eve. 3 gals of 2 tbs/gal mixture.. Under/over all over!!! I have never sprayed like that before.. Oh yea how do you follow the instructions about not getting it on yourself? a slight breeze and 6' tall plants give me a break. I took a shower after but should have had my mask on. To dya I take a single leaf sample and all seems dead.. yipeeee! then I see 3 active monsters under 30x.. hmmm. 2nd leaf sample is all dead??
Do I spray it again sooner than 7 days? IT will be about 11 days till I can get them if I dont spray agin in the next 3 days! The plants do look a little more upbeat today!
The plant guy did say that the kelthane is unstable so the bottle is only good for about 8 months.. Great huh!! THanks for the help folks.. what did farmers/gardeners do before the net? |
RE: Insects hurting me! HElp please.
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- Posted by farkee 10 B South Fl. (My Page) on
Fri, Sep 8, 06 at 16:11
| Unfortunately when you use broad spectrum insecticides like malathion you frequently have an increase in spider mite populations as you have eliminated the beneficial insects that help control the spider mites. |
RE: Insects hurting me! HElp please.
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| I understand Kelthane shouldn't be used more than twice a season or mites build up imnunity to it. I would wait 7 days and use Neem oil. If only a few mites are found after that I would continue with Neem oil. Only use Kelthane for large infestations. |
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