Spider mite egg killing

[JBR1]

I have a completely clean greenhouse a thousand miles from the nearest spider mite. The only way a spite mite could get into the greenhouse is on seeds.

How do I kill ALL spider mite eggs on seeds before planting?

I see millions of posts about reducing the damage of spider mites AFTER they have infested your greenhouse but none dealing with the obvious approach of killing the eggs beofre they ever get into the greenhouse

 

[Chuck]

The best way to kill spider mite eggs is to smother them and Neem Oil is best for this. Your greenhouse must be in the arctic because spider mites are found in every state but are overly abundant in the southeast US. Spider mites like it best in hot dry condtions so if you want to take a chance of fungal diseases on your plants install a humidifier in your greenhouse as high humidity repels them.

 

[JBR1]

So you would soak the seeds in neem oil for a few hours? What strength?

Yes I am at 9,000' elevation. Snow melts by June 1 and starts snowing again in Oct

 

[Chuck]

So you would soak the seeds in neem oil for a few hours? What strength?

Yes I am at 9,000' elevation. Snow melts by June 1 and starts snowing again in Oct

DO NOT put oil or anything but water on seeds. It WILL kill them. Commercial growers sometimes coat seeds wth a fungicide but not a mitacide. Spider mites are super small, almost invisible and travel numerous ways, mainly through the air with the wind. People and pets carry them too. You can walk by a plant that has mites, they get on your clothing and soon are in your greenhouse. I have been gardening for 70+ years and I have never heard of seeds carrying spider mites, although it is possible I suppose. Spider mites are controllable if one is attentive and catches the mites before they are well into their reproductive cycles. Their reproductive cycles are too complicated to get into now. Search this site for spider mites. IIRC I posted all about them a few years ago. Neem or horticultural oil is what is used on vegetable crops to control them. Mix 2oz Neem per gallon of water and spray every inch of the plant once you have them. Do this every 6-10 days for at least 30 days.

 

[JBR1]

In my first greenhouse, same climate elevation, the spider mite eggs came in on seeds. Daikon seeds to be precise. In this greenhouse I was to keep it mite free not wait till there is a problem and then suppress them forever.

There HAS to be a way to kill the eggs on seeds

 

[Talking2plants]

* Disclaimer: the following is not intended for use by anyone who has not been educated on the dangers or risks associated with Ultraviolet Light and the effects it can cause. Please use caution and protect yourself against the potential harm of exposure to surrounding objects and animals.

I’m an avid gardener and also deal with optics, lasers and precision lighting. I’m also very interested in designing and building my garden in a chemical free way. Spider mites are nearly invisible. Often I only know they are there if I see their web from a specific angle.
Because the eggs are not encased in especially hard shells, you could try using a 5 or 9 watt UV light to destroy the DNA sequence of the adult and kill off any of the pests that are present in the light.
I use a light to help with hardening the leaves to eventually get them outside, and treat them when I bring them into my greenhouse room when it gets cold. They will be full of outdoor pests, so I kill pathogens that are present from being outside.
You can seriously hurt your plants, it takes some planning and timing. But I’ve not seen any mites in months, and some Neem oil here and there is the most I need for the majority of issues related to bugs.

 

[JBR1]

Interesting idea. If you were just hitting the seeds I wonder how long it would take.

And what do you think about dealing with leaf virus between growing seasons?

 

[Talking2plants]

I think that’s an interesting question. Do you mean seeds or eggs?

 

[oneeye]

I have found that the best way to deal with spider mite eggs is to hit the plants every 3 days to kill the freshly hatched eggs. Use pure cold-pressed neem oil in warm water with a drop of dishsoap to help it mix well and stick to the plant. If you hit them every 3 days for 12 day total you will kill all the eggs.