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red onion
New Member


30 Posts
Posted -  11/07/2010  :  12:26
These are attcking, not the plants, but our front door!! It's covered in them.
Any ideas how to bid them goodbye?
I've been using  my hand held steam cleaner to get gthem off but they are usually back by the next day! No idea where they may be nesting. I've steamed under all the ledges etc.
Don't like to use insect repellent in case it damages the UPVC.
Any ideas?

It's obvious how much I love nature as the red spider mites are added to the harvest flies/thrips or whatever they are calle as my all time dislike!!
Author Replies  
moh
Silver Surfer


6860 Posts
Posted - 11/07/2010 : 13:28
We have them on our patio - wonder what they eat - when squashed they look like they are full of blood.


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red onion
New Member


30 Posts
Posted - 11/07/2010 : 14:11
I've learned the hard way not squash them as they leave a nasty mess which doesn't come off easily!


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Stanley
Local Historian & Old Fart


36804 Posts
Posted - 11/07/2010 : 17:36
Gather them, squash them and sell as Cochineal.


Stanley Challenger Graham




Barlick View
stanley at barnoldswick.freeserve.co.uk Go to Top of Page
Tizer
VIP Member


5150 Posts
Posted - 12/07/2010 : 10:21
Red spider mites are lovely little creatures! Get a hand lens and look at them closely to see how pretty they are. They are eaten by lacewings and ladybirds but unfortunately people go and spray with insecticides which kills these very insects that eat the mites! If they are on your door rather then eating your plants why not just leave them alone - they won't eat your door. The problem comes when you try to wipe them away - squashing them releases the red pigment. No squash, no pigment! If you must get them off the door try wiping it down with a little washing up liquid diluted in water. Try a small patch first to check that it doesn't just spread the red colour from the mites. Many insects can be destroyed with detergent or soap solution. It interferes with their breathing.


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Stanley
Local Historian & Old Fart


36804 Posts
Posted - 12/07/2010 : 17:46
Tiz, are they related to the red mite infestation we used to get on hens? It couldn't half knock them off laying. That's one of the reasons why birds have dust baths I think, to discourage such insects in their feathers.


Stanley Challenger Graham




Barlick View
stanley at barnoldswick.freeserve.co.uk Go to Top of Page
Tizer
VIP Member


5150 Posts
Posted - 12/07/2010 : 19:39
I doubt it, although I'm no expert on hens. You're right about the dust baths, it helps get rid of infestations and parasites. Also, birds take leaves of herb plants into their nests because the herbs have chemical components that kill or deter insects and microbes (I wonder if the birds also think the herbs smell nice?). Watch sparrows, they take lavender and marjoram.


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