I just want to throw this out there in case it can be of any help to someone. I used a non-toxic treatment for spider mites that worked miracles in 48 hours. My situation was with a houseplant, but it completely solved the problem in short order and kept them from spreading. Here is the situation:
We have a dieffenbachia plant that had been stressed when brought indoors from a humid and cool environment to a very dry and warm interior which threw it into shock and created leaf damage (I know, I know... but the houseplants are largely the domain of the missus). Then, as dieffenbachia was starting to overcome the shock and begin to rebound and look better, the missus let it dry out too much, stressing it again. Within a about 3 days I noticed the start of the spider mite infestation on the new leaf growth.
I brewed some fully caffeinated black tea at about 150% drinking strength, let it cool to completely room temperature, then poured the solution into a small spray bottle that could produce a fine mist. I thoroughly sprayed the developing nests and carefully saturated the underside of every leaf. I let it dry, then repeated the spraying process again the next day, making certain to get the underside of each leaf a second time. After a total of 48 hours, the mites were completely gone and have not returned in three weeks.
You probably know, caffeine is produced by plants as an insecticide, and of course, is not toxic to humans in drinkable concentrations. If ever I had a mite infestation on my buds, I would not hesitate to spray this tea solution, and would smoke the bud afterwards. Personally, I would not do that with another pesticide.
The only other option I would use lives up to my name -- I'd torch the mf'rs!!!
Nice one @im_sparky Iv never had mites yet but I'll be trying this if I ever meet them, give them a caffine buzz that blows their arse hole off.lol Good stuff man 😎
@stootie Yeah, man -- many people have been conditioned by the man to throw a commercially made product, one that is often toxic or problematic in some fashion, when really the plants can produce what we need. Peace, man!
@im_sparky I currently prevent these horrors with daily mistings of dilute seaweed extract in veg and an SMC treatment before going into flower, but I love this and will give it a go next time 
Right on! Best wishes — kill ‘em!!!
gonna give this a shot next time... I have had success with Dr Zymes eliminator in flower (also great for gnats and PM) but I like this better. "There isnt much you cant fix with a good cup of tea" some Dr Who episode.
Tried it tonight after finding some mite shenanigans.
Brewed some Assam black tea for a couple of hours, about 2 tablespoons in 1.5 liters. Shit is pretty strong. Sprayed on at about 75f.
Not willing to drop a nuke yet on this at day 53 of flower.
@southsilly good results, no? Sorry for my delay in responding, but have been traveling.
@im_sparky hey man, yeah it did help, it didnt get rid of them, but neither does the DrZymes at the concentration I'm using in flower.
There were no obvious ill affects to the plant. Its not a controlled experiment at all, and i dont know exactly how they are getting in (they seem to appear on the lowest leaves near the scrog net every few days. So Im just alternating a Dr Zymes and a tea every 3 days to keep under control until i harvest (at day 68 now).
For a while i was pulling the plant out and cleaning entire tent once a week. Havent found any webbing at all on any part of the plant. It started early flower and at first I sprayed every day for 3 days.
Its a living soil with a straw mulch layer, so my thoughts are they in that, i have drenched but everytime i do the plant seems like it takes a few days to recover. Could also be in the PVC scrog frame... Idk at this point i want to chop and nuke. Thing is, it is right next to another 2x4 and connected with ducting that has not had any issues. Maybe because im managing the population.
So to summarize, I have no idea. Hope that helps 💩
@southsilly I've been traveling so am just now able to read your reply. I bet you are right about them coming from the soil and therefore being a recurrent issue. Has your treatment included flushing the soil with tea? I have not tried that before, but in theory the caffeine could work in the soil, too, and the tea will also act as a very mild fertilizer but I am not sure how susceptible they are at the life-stage when in the soil. You probably know this, but in case you don't, you have to be sure to spray every centimeter of the leaves, including under each leaf and in any crevice/fold.
Latest Post: Northern Lights Auto Our newest member: 26Rogue Recent Posts Unread Posts
Our forum is free to join. We are an international cannabis forum that helps people all over the world grow their own personal supply of cannabis. Through our site you will find cannabis breeding forums, cannabis deficiency forums, indoor cannabis growing forums, and much more.
We are a home growers cannabis forum, and we only allow people who grow cannabis for personal use to be members. Our mission is to help you grow your own cannabis. We do not buy/sell/trade cannabis, or equipment for growing cannabis. Our site is strictly a cannabis smokers forum, cannabis growers forum and forum for medical cannabis users.
Use our guides on how to grow cannabis, cannabis grow diaries, and growers forum to find all the info you need to learn how to grow your own cannabis.
Any member who is suspected of growing cannabis for commercial gains will be banned immediately.
Please read our forum rules, and enjoy the site.
Find us on all social networks! Just search for Percys Grow Room