SPIDER MITES AND MYSTERY HOYA MITES

[@betsybegonia]

UPDATE: The warm water treatment has proven to be ineffective as a treatment for flat mites in my experience. The risk of killing the plant or causing permanent aesthetic damage is too high and the mites return anyway. Also: I forgot to say that you should wait at least 14 days before introducing predatory mites if you have treated your plants with a pesticide or miticide! 😬 Don't wanna kill the good guys.

[@robertjackson8144]

Just read your update and warm water not being effective for flat mites, sorry to hear it. So what did you end up using? The predatory mites? Or sulphur?

[@debracancelliere4081]

Never heard of the warm water approach. Good to know! Another method that I’ve successfully used on fleshier/harder cutical plants such as Phalaenopsis orchids and Hoyas is one recommended by Miss Orchid Girl on KZbin. It’s basically a 2% mineral oil (paraffin oil in EU, I think) to water solution with a squirt of dish soap. Put it all in a spray bottle with a fine mist and spray the crapola outta your plant. It works by smothering the mites. I’ve also had success using this method on thrips and mealies (after hand alcohol swabbing individuals). With thinner leaved plants, I use a 1% oil to water concentration. I would love to try the warm water method but everything is in soil and I dread repotting all my plants. But it’s always good to have one more weapon in my big fighting arsenal. Thanks for the tips!

[@RyansOrchids]

You need something powerful to get rid of mites and false spider mites (flat mites). I've use Organishield and it really works amazing. Most local hydroponics stores carries it. It's made out of sucrose and something from the tobacco plant. It kills all stages of soft body insects. Also has no oils so no leaf burn at all

[@celadonna237]

In your experience, does it take multiple treatments to clear up mite problems?

[@betsybegonia]

Click the www.vessi.com/betsybegonia and use my code BETSYBEGONIA for $25 off each pair of Vessi shoes! Free shipping to CA, US, AUS, NZ, JP, TW, KR, SGP. Thank you for sponsoring this video, Vessi!

[@KnotDude]

Amazing video as always! thanks for your contribution ALWAYS. Sulphur fungicide was a lifesaver for me and credit for that goes to Miro! He saved me and I also have that microscope and its terrifying and amazing at the same time. Using beneficial's now to hopefully curb those mighty mites.

[@betsybegonia]

I hope the predatory mites are working for you as well as they worked for me. Keep fighting the good fight, solider. 💪

[@b2h316]

I've never bought something so fast as that microscope 😅

[@lainiwakura21]

I recently got some advice from a plant friend to try ten drops each of clove, peppermint, and rosemary oil in a regular spray bottle of water. Apparently there is something in them that disrupts the nervous system of the bugs but doesn't hurt people, plants, or pets. So far it's working great for me, and it smells like Christmas which is much nicer than neem oil. (That neem oil headache is real lol)

[@betsybegonia]

That's interesting, if I ever see mites again I'll maybe run an experiment.

[@michelejones4282]

Great to know! Is the spray bottle 32oz & what is the regiment, ie spray plant once or every week for a period of time, etc? Ty

[@lainiwakura21]

@@michelejones4282 it's a regular large size spray bottle from the dollar store, and I do the exact same regiment suggested for Neem oil. Spray once every three days for a total of three treatments. I also tend to spray my plants that attract spider mites about once a week. When I spray I wait to see liquid running off the leaves, so best to do outside or in a sink. So far I have had no recurrence of spider mites/pests, and no sign of the spray damaging my plants in any way and I've been using this method since April. Hope that helps.

[@astridekko9229]

What size is a regular size spray bottle? 😊 Is that 500 ml? I’m in the netherlands.. we don’t have a regular size.. they all differ 😁

[@tinaasagai1810]

Is this for spider mites or flat mites?

[@CazSantiago]

Betsy, thank you so much for this comprehensive video!! After watching your video and also Knot Dude's video on this topic, I realized I may have the same issue. I don't have a microscope and I'm not sure I want to see the creepy crawlies on my hoya anyway but I do have a kerrii and a chelsea that have been very, very slow growers so I'm thinking I should just go ahead and treat them. I was all set on the sulfur treatment, ordered it, and was ready to mix and administer it until I began reading all the warning information on the label. For health reasons, I ended up deciding against using the sulfur for now and try the hot water bath instead. I figure since the kerrii and chelsea have thicker leaves, my thinking is that they stand a better chance of surviving, fingers crossed? I did use alcohol:water to spray both of these plants and they both put out a single new leaf after treatment but they have not put out any more since. Maybe I didn't apply for a long enough period? The only thing giving me pause about the hot water treatment is that all my plants are in soil and it'll be a pain in the backside to have to dig them up our of their substrate, especially considering that hoya roots are tiny and finicky. If anyone is interested, I will provide updates. For anyone interested, I found some articles on hot water treatments for plant pests: ucnfanews.ucanr.edu/Articles/Regional_Report_San_Diego_and_Riverside_Counties/Spring_2013__Hot_Water_Treatments_to_Control_Pests/ www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/haraa/ASHSSystemsApproach092711Hara_rev%20(NXPowerLite%20pptx).pdf Hope this all helps!

[@dreamsofhoya]

When you started describing the knobby growths, I was highly suspicious, and immediately bought the microscope… It arrived today and so far I’ve found 7 of my hoyas have false spider mites 😨 At least now I can start trying to eradicate them! Thank you for this video, Betsy!! I suspect they’ve been some of the reason for mysterious plant deaths over the last 3 years 😵

[@betsybegonia]

Oh noooooo! I'm so glad you can treat them now.

[@dreamsofhoya]

@@betsybegonia seriously considering the sous vide machine… I have about 40 hoyas of varying sizes so this will be an adventure ⛑☣️💨🪴

[@stephanievaillancourt6608]

Ce vidéo tombe à point pour moi car j'ai commencé ma collection il y a 7mois et j'avais près du quart de mes 60 hoyas qui poussent TELLEMENT LENTEMENT. Je crois avoir trouvé des mites sur plusieurs de mes petits bébés et c'est grâce à vous. Je suis une grande admiratrice bilingue qui vous salue du Québec. Merci d'être là et de nous tenir informés de vos découvertes. J'ai bien hâte de voir le vidéo de présentation de la technique mais je pense que je vais quand même me lancer avant. Bonne journée à vous.

[@TrashDoughnut]

I've inherited a Hoya from my aunt, I'm hoping the warm bath will help take care of whatever might be on it. it'll be my first plant that's not spiky or eats bugs so I'm pretty nervous.

[@maggiechong2915]

Thought I had a low humidity problem because my Cissus and Hoya kept losing new leaves….but nope. It was a mite problem. 🤢Thank you so much for this video. I would have never known the real culprit. Azamax is a good alternative to neem oil. It contains a concentrated version of the active ingredient of neem oil, but no stench. I just used it on my Cissus Amazonia and C. Discolor. They were both crawling with those nasty little buggers. No visible sign of mites after spraying them both. Fingers crossed.

[@neelyspice]

Oh my, LOVE your channel! But I don’t know if I should curse or bless you for this one. Bought the microscope. So far have checked 6 Hoyas and two have them. 😣 I never would have known about these. For real though, thank you! This is mind blowing. Just soaked my obscura and crassipetiolata splash.

[@betsybegonia]

I am sorry and you're welcome. 😂

[@heathertroynak9041]

How E Vaaa 😂😂😂😂I watch you as much for actual you as your plants and education. Sigh, I just love a Betsy visit

[@betsybegonia]

🤗😂 Thanks for watching.

[@RootsReady]

That explains a lot! My Meredithii has been playing up and it might be because of the mites. Thanks for the heads up!

[@jandersen8792]

Thank you, Betsy!! I did the warm water bath and I was fascinated with seeing everything float up lol Great advise. I will definitely use it again if it's required.

[@katyamaji2887]

Any updates did the warm water baths get rid of the mites?

[@laurenceprudhomme2201]

Thank you so much for this outstanding video. Honestly it kinda saved my entire hoya collection :) The warm water method works like a charm!

[@betsybegonia]

I'm so happy to hear that!

[@katyamaji2887]

Did it work for all mites? I treated ny whole collection with sulfur and honestly it too big of a task to do this for 2 months. How often is you do the warm water treatment? You dunked the whole pot in a bucket?

[@aspendrake9512]

Sooo helpful! Thank you!

[@miranaomyberube1400]

Awww, at last! A video on these pesky lil mystery hoya mites! I literally never heard of the warm bath method. I’d be very scared to cook them…! As for neem oil, it does have a very distinctive stench, but it does wonders on pests. To me, the main downside of it is that I’m pretty sure it kinda suffocates the plant’s stomata, on the upper-side of the leaves…? On the few plants I’ve treated with neem oil, the treated leaves permanently lost some of their turgidity (they’re kinda limp now). Depending on the type of plant, it’s more (e.g. my monstera deliciosa) or less obvious (e.g. on my philodendron hederaceums, you have to touch the leaves to feel it). For that reason alone, neem oil won’t be going anywhere near my hoyas…!

[@peterstevens6555]

Good Morning from Auckland, New Zealand ...

[@betsybegonia]

Good evening from Lille, France.

[@nicolemorreau9977]

Oh my gosh! Literally what I have been dealing with for a few weeks now! I purchased a USB microscope to check out my hoyas when I had a suspicion of mites. Sure enough, I found the false spider mites on many of my hoyas. If the infestation is bad, they will cause damage to the underside of leaves. I have been treating with a spray and it seems to be working. I may try the water bath method in the future though. I wish I would have about the false spider mites sooner, because like you, I thought I would be able to see mites if I had them. Thank you for the great video!

[@michelejones4282]

What spray have you been using? Ty

[@nicolemorreau9977]

@@michelejones4282 I have been using Bonide MiteX (I am in the US). I recently got predatory mites to try those as well. (I made sure to allow some time between spraying and releasing the predatory mites)

[@MariaRomero-jt8xm]

this video is mad!!!! this explains so many of my hoyas with stubby nodes and no growth! off to get a microscope… thank you so much!

[@betsybegonia]

I am so glad if this helps anybody! I hope you manage to knock them out.

[@MariaRomero-jt8xm]

@@betsybegonia i didn’t see any and the bugger now has a growth point so i guess she was just slow! but i’m having so much fun with the microscope! i got beneficial bugs as well and i can see them 😍😍😍

[@ThePlantasticNerd]

Ok top notch information here yet again. ❤

[@betsybegonia]

Thank you! 💚 I'm glad you appreciate this. 😁

[@patmandolla1806]

I've been rinsing my plants off and using alcohol and water mixed together. I use neem oil and I also use a systemic powder from bonide. It's supposed to go through the roots and protect the plants from all types of bugs it lasts for a couple weeks.

[@debbibowen]

Mites are the one thing that doesn't kill. Check the label - nothing about mites. ☹

[@lafregaste]

I had the white mites, so I secluded the plant and bought something at the market, I don't remember what it was thou, I just explained my issue to the lady and they gave me a powder to mix with water

[@flowergirllove21]

I have the same microscope, lo and behold there they were. Thank you for posting this so I finally took the time to check my slow growers!

[@betsybegonia]

I'm glad this helped! Now you can treat them and they'll get their rears in gear! 😁

[@flowergirllove21]

@@betsybegonia yes exactly! You’re the absolute best, thank you for taking the time to share your time and knowledge!! 💚

[@Monkey-oy1us]

Thank you Betsy for this video. May i ask at what magnification you used to see the tarsonemidaes/white ones at the end?

[@nicolekuster6215]

You‘re just the best! Wondered for years about non-growing knobby Hoyas! Thank you verrrry much! Muah😘

[@betsybegonia]

So so so happy if this is helpful at all. 💚

[@elwood9408]

Thank you! I just did the warm water bath for 4 hoyas that have exactly the knobbly pattern that you described. So easy; since they were in leca, I dunked the whole pot in the bucket. Did 115 degrees for 5 minutes. I really hope it does the trick... thank you so much for this informative video!!

[@katyamaji2887]

Any updates?

[@hollykerosec]

Thanks for the video!!! I have 3 Hoyas with bugs right now (mealy bugs I think) and am looking forward to these tricks if this NEEM oil doesn’t work!!

[@betsybegonia]

Good luck!

[@lc9215]

Thanks for another top video! This was just what I needed. I’m sure I have broad mites on 1 of my Hoya. Normal spider mite treatment do not work on them!(I usually use alcohol and water)

[@betsybegonia]

These ones are particularly difficult to get rid of.

[@QuirkyLemon]

Much needed and awesome vid. Thank you! My microscope just arrived and I'm starting the process of seeing if I can find any mites on any hoya. I'm kinda hoping I can BECAUSE then it answers "what the heck more do you want from me plant" question and I'd like to try the beneficial Neoseiulus fallacis to see how they do. They've been amazing as solving "spider mite corner" where my alocasia live and I read they are not picky eaters so might be a good generalist solution. Will tag you on insta if I get any results.

[@betsybegonia]

Please do!

[@marsf4883]

OH man, good information. Now I will have to pay a more attention to my hoyas :T.

[@benwinkel]

I'm in charge of the counting of the predatory mites, it might sound to you like a dread. It's my job to make absolutely accurately sure, in each sack there's exactly one hundred.

[@betsybegonia]

If I had known you'd been in charge I wouldn't have flipping counted them all myself!

[@benwinkel]

@@betsybegonia Hahaha! Sorry about that.

[@michelejones4282]

Wow what a eye ball strain! Could you give me a name/link where I can buy the predator mites? Ty

[@theresahubert1580]

Omg…. I’m only 8 mins in … and I’m resisting the URGE to go look at ALL my plants right now with my microscope 😩😩😩😩

[@betsybegonia]

Once I start looking I can't stop. 😂

[@blomtrollet]

I'm going to try the warm water 💧 Thanks for the tip 💞

[@riawhetstone3725]

Thank you for sharing! I might try the hoya soup method 😆 The plant’s meow has a great video on mites as well 😊

[@betsybegonia]

Good luck with treatment! 💚 Thank you for watching.

[@callyns8276]

Oh no! I tried the water method, looked at my plants with the microscope afterwards and still saw moving mites. Maybe my thermometer is broken. :(

[@lindsayrusk9620]

Thank you for making this video! I just found red mites on one of my hoya. I just did the warm water bath. I didnt see any mites where I had previously found them. I hope they are gone for good! I have a convection stove. It worked like a hot damn!!

[@Dieppaloveplants]

I just got a microscope lol because of u ❤️❤️❤️ i just got few hoyas and 1 of them is not growing at all my polynera and the other one are growing crazy but 1 of them is not

[@wandashaw3551]

Hi Betsy, thank you so much for this great information!! I am keeping this video in my library just in case I see any of those little buggers on any of my plants!!

[@betsybegonia]

May you never find them! 🙈

[@molliewoltmann5229]

Betsy!!! You have started a serious addiction - just got a microscope and found mites on my hoya gunung gading - they are literally microscopic and not clear like the ones you showed!!! I am so excited! They look like they are walking around under the outside of the cuticle of the leaf. I want to treat, but am also endlessly curious!!!

[@betsybegonia]

THAT'S WHAT I'M SAYING THEY ARE SO IMPOSSIBLE TO SEEEEE

[@StaceyFeltham]

false mites are such a pain, I have a bunch of issues on my collection as a result

[@scottcarder9543]

Good morning Betsy 🌹 🌹 🌄🔆

[@thpco1617]

Very helpful video, thank you! And now I have to buy a microscope 😬

[@Kati-did]

So ITCHY!!!!! I also hate the smell of neem. Now I am curious. Guess I am going to find mites!!!

[@betsybegonia]

I was so itchy while editing this video. 😂

[@crazygirl737]

When submerging the plant in water, do the leaves as well as the dirt have to be completely under water or jst the dirt?

[@betsybegonia]

Every part of the plant.

[@maryamgoze5137]

What kind of pots can you put into the sous vide cooker? Will the plastic nursery pots or the plastic transparent cups tolerate the required temperature of 110 to 120 degF? Thank you!

[@roseanderson2191]

Thank you so much, that was very informative 💚

[@betsybegonia]

Thank you for tuning in. 😁

[@suerivest3651]

I have had a spider mite problem this winter ( not sure about the other two but just ordered one of those microscopes you have lol ) so was trying the neem spray everyone talks about but I found it damages/burns leaves more , even when i keep them out of light , so in searching , found this new spray on the liquid dirt channel , which i find is working great from what I can see ( little frightened what I might find once I get the gadget) , its organic, I can leave it on no problem and it helps with dusty leaves to boot. For a spray bottle ( 1 litre) its 1 cup of 70% alcohol, 1/4-1/3 cup both peppermint and tea tree castile soaps and a teaspoon of 1% peroxide . Because it doesn't/hasn't hurt the leaves , I have been using just as a preventative mist in general too kinda thing and so fa so good. I have a bunch of mite magnets ( calathea, alocasia and a verracosum) but decided to try this before the predatory mite stage and have had success so far with nothing going wrong with my plants. The tea tree oil in the soap supposedly kills the eggs. Just throwing it out there as another organic spray to try , I had always only heard of the other one.

[@suerivest3651]

I was going to order that same mite you did but wasn't sure if I was picking the right one , but glad you pointed out it doesn't work on the one kind of mite you mention , thanks for that info.

[@michelejones4282]

Did you find any false mites after getting microscope? If so, did the spray kill them? Ty

[@suerivest3651]

@@michelejones4282 No none of those so far , I keep looking though, just reg spider mites, which is actually kinda horrifying finding them under the micro... I do find the spray is helping as I am finding them less. Another reason the microscope thing is cool, you can see those suck spots on leaves that a mite left so even without seeing the mite , I spray when I see that

[@michelejones4282]

Sue, what size spray bottle? 16, 32 oz? Ty

[@suerivest3651]

@@michelejones4282 I used a 1 L so about the same as 32oz

[@laurenmuldoon3685]

Great video! I do have a question. After watching your video, Knot Dude's video, AND Sir Plants A Lot's video... multiple times... I decided to do the warm bath method today. I am super anxious, as my hoyas are my favorite plants (luckily I don't have any rares, but still, they're my favorites and I don't want to buy new ones hahah). I didn't even get a microscope, I just knewww based on the videos and symptoms that I had the buggers. After you treated for mites using the warm bath method... how long did it take to see new growth starting again, if any? Days, weeks, months? For reference, I literally just have a Krimson Princess & Queen, a wayetii, and a publicalyx - so they all are supposed to be decently "quick growing hoyas"... but I have them in room conditions with average humidity, so it's not like I'd expect them to have CRAZY amounts of growth anyway. But I'm just wondering how long I should expect I guess, I'm just so nervous!

[@shadesofidaho]

I LOVE my USB microscope. It was about 20.00 when I bought it.

[@MairzyDoatz]

I’ve willfully ignored my suspected microscopic mite problem on my deykeae for months so this guide was the boost I needed to make it a jacuzzi asap

[@betsybegonia]

Oo a jacuzzi. Make him a lil pina colada too. 🍹

[@QuirkyLemon]

I was totally thinking about our jacuzzi! But the chemicals in the jacuzzi. And is it a step too far? haha. Need to ponder this more.

[@betsybegonia]

@@QuirkyLemon Those chemicals will kill the plant please don't. 😂

[@QuirkyLemon]

@@betsybegonia but can you just picture my hubby coming outside to me, in the jacuzzi, with All The Plants? Haha

[@betsybegonia]

@@QuirkyLemon 😂

[@DelightfulDissident]

I recently had thrips come in through my plant window and attack almost my who collection. Currently using Bonide systemic granules. Pray for me 😄😅

[@betsybegonia]

🔪🍀

[@heathertroynak9041]

@@betsybegonia I can hear your “tone of voice” typing that knife! I’m just laughing! I’m laughing. This isn’t even my post to butt into…but I am. I’ll pray twice for her thrip onslaught to make up for my butting in 😁

[@brandong2424]

Omg! Running home to look as closely as I can 😳😳

[@DelightfulDissident]

I bought a fiddle leaf from Walmart and it came with mites. By the time I treated with neem oil, they had grown into mutate mites and laughed at the neem oil. I lost that battle 😂

[@betsybegonia]

I used to suggest neem oil until I tried to use it a few times. 😂 I can't stand the smell.

[@benwinkel]

@@betsybegonia I hated that guy, Leonard Neem Oil.(Oh boy, somebody stop me now!)

[@kristenstocker1381]

wow great info!

[@rrittenhouse]

I thought that title said Hoka (the shoe brand) mites 🤣🤣

[@cadgon7289]

Have you tried reaching out to a research facility or a company that rears predatory mites? They might be able to identify the mystery bug via the footage you took and the description of damage done to your plants. They could possibly suggest a predatory bug to address the problem.

[@betsybegonia]

I'll try that. And maybe someone who is in the study of mite species.

[@cadgon7289]

@@betsybegonia Ashley from gardeningincanada (on YT and IG) is a soil scientist. Hopefully she or someone she knows can provide some info. 🙂

[@braveheartopenmind]

Do you know, Betsy, if the warm water bath would kill thrips also?

[@betsybegonia]

From what I've read, it should kill thrips but I can't confirm it.

[@jorlandia4363]

Thank you for this video! I feel like this explains so much. @wildfern this may be whats going on with your hoya bellas

[@betsybegonia]

Thanks for watching! I'm glad it was helpful.

[@jorlandia4363]

@@betsybegonia yes, I love watching you and miro (basie plants idk if thats the right spelling) teach us all about Hoyas, really enjoy yalls content in general too tho 😊

[@LeaMarieBruce]

Thanks for the great info!! I want a microscope now 😄

[@betsybegonia]

I warn you that it will keep you occupied for hours. 😂

[@scottcarder9543]

Use dishwashing liquid water and 2 or 3 crushed garlic 🧄 bulbs and after its infused in the water and dishwashing liquid, simply strain through an old cloth and then in a spray bottle and spray it over your plants they dislike it and keep off. Make sure it won't rain 🌧️

[@tinaasagai1810]

Is this for spider mites or flat mites?

[@scottcarder9543]

For both

[@lapima2018]

Well, I started watching my hoyas with the microscope and they have mites 😢. I'm thinking of getting the predatory mites, where did you find them in France ? And did the hot water treatment left any damage on your plants? 46°C is pretty hot actually...

[@betsybegonia]

I suggest 43-44°C. I'll make a video about this soon. I just used it on a handful of very rare and very expensive cuttings that I bought and they're all fine. A few people gave told me they "cooked" their Hoyas but I have never had this experience and I've done this treatment many times. As for the mites, I get Spical Plus from Crisop Shop.

[@rachaelnugent]

Excellent images Betsy! What's the magnification of the microscope out of curiosity?

[@betsybegonia]

Thanks! It's 40x to 1000x.

[@yuritzyhernandez9435]

The video we’ve been dying for! Thank you 🙏🏽 next root mealies 🤢

[@cadgon7289]

Rove beetles and stratiolaelaps scimitus are great for those 🙂

[@betsybegonia]

I imagine this would treat root mealies but I have never tried it and can't confirm. I don't imagine they'd survive the heat either.

[@cadgon7289]

@@betsybegonia I have experience with root mealies and root aphids. And the latter helped. I've never tried rove beetles. 🙂

[@Wendy-zl8kv]

Creepy little creatures!! Thank you for doing all this research for us. I’m searching for bugs 🐛 😂🤣 it’s not funny really 😱

[@betsybegonia]

Nobody wants to find bugs. 😂

[@katyamaji2887]

Ignoring the issue doesn't make it go away. 🤣🤣🤣 I'm learning this first hand.

[@SirPlantsaLot]

Omw to buy a usb microscope, brb 🌝 the hot water method is so interesting, thanks for this vid betsy 💕

[@betsybegonia]

I'm glad I could help! 😁

[@SirPlantsaLot]

@@betsybegonia Update, microscope arrived, I've got mites 🤣

[@betsybegonia]

@@SirPlantsaLot May the treatment be with you. 🙏

[@VickyHafler]

🤦🏼‍♀️ Now I need a microscope, and bugs to release in my house.

[@betsybegonia]

You had no idea what you were getting yourself into today.

[@StarburstLover]

Awesome video! Did you find that the californicus mites ate the false spider mites? I know you said they didn’t work on the white mites but was unsure if they worked for false spider mites :)

[@betsybegonia]

Yes, they destroyed the false spider mites as well as the two spotted spider mites that rode in on a Monstera deliciosa that I brought him from the greenhouse. Wiped them all out.

[@gabrieleweidhuner5727]

Good info-thank you!

[@betsybegonia]

Thanks for watching! 💚 Take care.

[@yeahivekilledthat719]

Bravo to you for discovering the warm water treatment! Have you tried this with other plants besides hoyas?

[@betsybegonia]

No I have not. I would he worried about thin leaf plants. I soaked a thin leaf Hoya cutting and accidentally let the water get up to 49. It was pretty droopy afterwards. I plan on making a video showing my process with more details soon!

[@hoyamaniac8426]

Great video, Betsy! Mites are terrible, but it’s definitely better to know your enemy. 😬

[@betsybegonia]

Thank you for teaching me!

[@mwoods4608]

Wait which ones are the white mites?

[@betsybegonia]

Broad mites.

[@stephanielapointelap1498]

Do we know if the false mite would survive on surfaces like wall or shelves ? I mean, would they only spread to other plants only if touching each other ? Or would they crawl on surface to reach other plants ? 🤔 (J'espère que je suis claire, mon anglais est pas super 😅l

[@betsybegonia]

I don't know. It's best to clean pots and everything around the plants just in case.

[@stephanielapointelap1498]

Merci Betsy 😊

[@benwinkel]

I love you, i love your content, with my silly comments i wish you no harm. This episode was especially inspiring. What's with the patch on your arm?

[@betsybegonia]

Haha it's fine, you gave me the giggles. I skinned it on a door that was closing on me. The bandaid looks better than the scratch.

[@cece_marie]

I'm almost not sure I want this information. As I'm staring at a crimson princess and a pubicalyx that haven't grown in 2 years, and a giant 10yo carnosa (from a 50+yr old mother) who has never flowered. Thanks for the PSA 💓

[@cece_marie]

I also already own both a digital and a compound microscope more than capable of answering the question. But head-in-sand

[@betsybegonia]

Omg my freaking carnosa won't flower either, the jerk. Everyone gets it to flower except for me. 😂

[@cece_marie]

@@betsybegonia 🙈🙈🙈🙈lalalalalala 🤣💀

[@haagendazs2384]

If anyone finds out what predatory bug eats those white mites let us know!

[@jw2223]

What about using systemic? That doesn’t kill them?… Btw I just soaked half my problem plants into hot water - so far so good! Thanks so much for the tip!

[@betsybegonia]

I've heard mixed things about systemic. It's also very difficult to acquire in France and I try not to use it since it can affect pollinators and I like to put my Hoyas outside in the summer. It depends where and how you keep the plants and what the chemical in the systemic is. You could research its effectiveness against mites.

[@jw2223]

@@betsybegonia thaaaanx! BTW the hot water bath SO works! The only bugs on those plants are DEAD☠️ ones 😂

[@pierrebouchard4289]

I detest pests ... Off with their heads !!! Have a pest free week end Lady B. Happy perching Sir Frank ... Hang in there ... See you in the next one Lady B. ✌🙂

[@betsybegonia]

Thank you Pierre! Take care. 💚

[@psychedelicfeline6164]

Very helpful! : )

[@betsybegonia]

I'm glad to hear it. 😁

[@Rainspider.]

I recently got some new hoyas and was wondering what the white residue was on the bottom leaves. I'm guessing its sulfur. They seem healthy, but I hope the residue comes off, it looks gross xD

[@betsybegonia]

You can get it off but yes it's annoying and I hate it. It takes a while. A rinse with mild dish soap or black soap might help.

[@bessypap4882]

Be careful with that hot water dunk folks! I killed so many of my plants when i tried….. just be careful with the temp. I maintained at 50degrees and i dunked the whole plant. Next day was not pretty :(

[@betsybegonia]

Yeah I don't suggest this method at all anymore. I updated the pinned comment to make that more clear.

[@PhoenixFyreRising]

I bought that microscope and found out you can't use it with an iPhone. So I had to order one that doesn't have an app attached with it. Apple is very strict with their products which kind of stinks when it is something good to use.

[@b2h316]

I used Spidex (Phytoseiulus persimilis) and it was the only thing that helped me get my spider mites under control

[@fluffy_mcsparkle]

brb inspecting all my plants D:

[@betsybegonia]

I hope you don't have them! 😬

[@fluffy_mcsparkle]

@@betsybegonia I just released Amblyseius swirskii against a thrips infestation three days ago, and found out that these also work against spider mites. So if I have them they are getting munched to death now. No mercy!

[@betsybegonia]

@@fluffy_mcsparkle I hope it works! I tried Thripex (Neoseiulus cucumeris) once but it did nothing for the mites even though they're meant to feed on both thrips and mites.

[@mylenebill4572]

I am going to assume that leaving a plant in hot water won’t harm it?

[@betsybegonia]

As long as it's below 120 degrees Fahrenheit and it's only for 10-15 minutes if should be fine. I have done this to about 20 Hoyas (I now treat every new cutting this way).

[@michelejones4282]

WHY did I watch this video!!! I have over a hundred hoyas! I'm doomed!! But now I know why some aren't growing very well. Oh dear!!😱😭😭😭☹️

[@betsybegonia]

🙈🙈🙈 I'm sorryyyyyy!

[@mg8565]

Question for anyone, really - So, does this mean Azamax is not effective for the white mites?

[@betsybegonia]

No clue on my end.

[@janebrewer9326]

Azamax is a game changer. I am not sure which mites I’ve had: the web kind the no web kind, the invisible stub producing/underside of leaf scratching kind, and the really fast clear kind almost invisible but you can see the movement, and azamax is the only thing that worked for me.

[@mg8565]

@@janebrewer9326 thank you! I plan to use it for larger plants.

[@vickymontreuil3745]

You are so damn funny and your accent is not at all French, in fact i understood every words because the prenounciation is excellent. Thank you for the informations and the bubbly personality. You're definitely my favorite.

[@betsybegonia]

I sound American because I'm 100% an American expat living in France. 😅 I'm cheating.

[@betsybegonia]

Also, thank you for watching! I hope you have a wonderful day. 💚

[@vickymontreuil3745]

Your honor, this comment was totally irrelevant, some Americans you can barely understand because of all the slangs. Your rock as an orator.

[@betsybegonia]

@@vickymontreuil3745 😂 Thank you.

[@vickymontreuil3745]

I have a question for you Betsy, considering I don't have a microscope and seeing bugs drives me a little crazy, could I just treat them to prevent mites?

[@benwinkel]

A spider mite might visit you with a mighty infestation. Just to spite you in spite what you did to avoid it's manifestation.

[@betsybegonia]

What might a mighty mite do if a mighty mite might do anything at all?

[@benwinkel]

@@betsybegonia If at all such a mite should display it's might, why not to a purpose that benefits us all? Instead the creature so tiny and small has chosen to do no such thing at all. It appears to find pleasure with it's mighty powers, to drive us up the wall!

[@MyStrangie]

I tried this and I think I might have overdone it. I didn't have a thermometer so I did it by feel and now the leafs are rubbery. Oops 😂

[@betsybegonia]

Oh no! 😰

[@valiumsurbanjungle2041]

Thank you !!!! 💚 Even though I'm too lazy to consistently spray my plants (or do anything, let's be honest), this might come in handy next time. For the time being everything is enjoying our hot hot greek heat outdoors and I do have to spray everything with "summer oil" (horticultural oil of some sort, I think it's pyrethrum and/or paraffin based), which I should have done two months ago, but pfffft...🙄 Have a great evening!! 😊

[@betsybegonia]

You reminded me of the one single benefit of neem: it makes the leaves so shiny! I hope you're well, take care in that heat!

[@Just_a_bird]

Ooooh! As someone who finally got rid of all the spider mites and lost seven plants (out of like, 49) in the process, I'm a lil excited to see if I did it ''correctly''.

[@betsybegonia]

I hope so. They're utterly frustrating!

[@clairegray6027]

What about rubbing alcohol?

[@betsybegonia]

It won't destroy the eggs, they will continue to hatch.

[@JillyC5]

You are a hero! I bought that microscope and sure enough every one of my hoya that was not thriving had mites, my latifolia had the red ones and I had 5 others with the white ones. I found that with hot water from my tap, I could get a really large bowl to 49C and it took at least 20 minutes for it to cool down to below 42 so I didn't even use the stove. Fingers crossed this works!

[@betsybegonia]

I hope you were able to maintain the same temp for long enough! I'm glad I could help, good luck!

[@benwinkel]

Oh no! Those are nasty!

[@betsybegonia]

You will enjoy my closeup footage. 😂

[@benwinkel]

@@betsybegonia Lol. I can't wait! I'm not squeamish by nature but it's the damage they cause.

[@Meirjolanknits]

I am trying to eradicate bloodmote on my chickens. horrible! It is the same story as the plant mites. I use diatomaceous earth, steam, hot water to kill those beasts. But i have to repeat it every single day!

[@betsybegonia]

Oh my gosh that sounds positively awful! I hope that nightmare ends for you soon.

[@michelejones4282]

@@betsybegonia Betsy, I was wondering if DE would work on mites when watching your vd. Hmm?

[@betsybegonia]

@@michelejones4282 I've never heard of diatomaceous earth being used against mites. You'd have to dust the entire plant in it and even then I still have no idea. I'm sure a Google search will tell you though.

[@benwinkel]

I implore you! Please, don't ever, NEVER(!!!), point the microscope on yourself. Please!!!(Don't do it...)

[@betsybegonia]

I can only imagine the horror.

[@benwinkel]

@@betsybegonia I have this persistent itch on my left eyebrow. I wonder...

[@lc9215]

Makes me think of eyelash mites😱

[@lc9215]

I wonder if an oven could be used to put the pot of water in, to maintain the temperature🤔

[@betsybegonia]

Definitely use a thermometer. 😅

[@lc9215]

@@betsybegonia I should’ve added that I’d set the oven at 45deg😆