Great information. I have a orchid collection and have been battling mites for the past two winters when they come back inside. Lost almost all my house plant collection they were so infected. THANK YOU!!
Just to let everyone know, Google said that neem oil will take care of flat mites. I tried it and it worked. I spray a "pool" of it in a dish and use a soft artists' paint brush or makeup brush to apply it to the plant. Sulfur is old school: used back in the last house plant craze of the 70's.
Hi I'm happy you got rid of your flat mites. I jusy want to say it's a misconception that flat mites cant be killed with pesticides. It might depend on the type of flat mites it is, but you can use a miticide. The miticide have to be in direct contact with an mite to work, so you still need to treat multiple times. Pesticides that make the plant toxic to the mite (like provanto, which uses Flupyradifurone, are not effective on mites). There might be systemic granules that work on mites, but I have only researched the ones that are allowed to be used by hobbies in my country, and the only one we can use is Provanto. I have done a lot of research on this topic as I got flat mites my self, and saw on youtube that a lot of people said that only sulfur works. I used a Pyrethrin based pesticide (wich is considered quite safe as it is not toxic to humans or pest, and is derived form chrysanthemum flowers). I got rid of the problem rather fast. The solution I used have Pyrethrin solved in oil, so it works as a horticultural oil as well. Also, everybody talks about having flat mites on their hoyas, that depends on the type of flat mite. The ones I got lived on top of the leaves, and attacked my marathas and anthuriums. I had hoyas in close praximety, but they were not interested in them. Alos pray for me, I just found thrips on 3 of my plants, and they are at oposite sides in my plant room, so i think I have to treat all 100 plants in the room 😢 I respect the work Emma did when she treated all her plants in her collection. That had to be a lot of work!
Great video! So far (to my knowledge 🙈) I haven't had these bugs, but now I know more about them so I can keep an extra eye out 😊 I'd love to see you make an Alocasia corms video, I'm super into Alocasia atm and I'm really curious how the corm part works too 🥰
Thank you Emma, I don’t think I have any pests, fingers crossed, but I’m trying to learn as collecting plants is a relatively new thing for me and I want to be prepared and not just panic and throw my plant’s away, that’s probably what I could have done. Now I can be prepared if I do get them. I
I did that sulfur treatment 4 times every 2 weeks on all my plants also and left the sulfur on. The reason I continued every 2 weeks is the mites found the new growth. It did give 6 of my 24 Hoya root rot so beware multiple treatments can damage the roots and it is difficult to keep the liquid sulfur from your soil. I still have flatmites and I also use systemic granulars as well Right now I remove any damaged flatmites leaves immediately and spray weekly with water/alcohol/peroxide during watering. I also keep my plants away from each other and wipe down tables etc often with sanitizer
I did the sulfur treatments, and they do work, but it's so messy. I ended up using Bonide insecticidal soap and that worked to kill the flat mites just as well as the sulfur, but without any mess. Any brand of insecticidal soap will work, you just have to keep up with the treatments the same length of time as you would with the sulfur powder. Sulfur powder is also a great antifungal for new cuttings... 50/50 mix of sulfur powder and rooting hormone powder. 💚
I use a systemic that also kills mites. And so far haven't had any problems. It's over the counter here in the u s . And I only use it when I buy plants and twice a year after that.
@@Yoliplanting it's actually 2 both by ortho I can't think of the names and not at the house. I switch between them so less chances of the bugs becoming immune. It's a concentrate and I spray it on the plants. Can be used either way.
@@kbm4409 they are from Ortho they're systemic they have 3 or 4 . One is bug b gone and the other is systemic insects killer. But you will want to go to home depot or Lowes and read all of them to see which ones will work for your situation. But they do stink and of course use neem also for a 1 2 punch.
yesterday was spray day #3 lol my collection is not huge, but my hoyas where not growing and if they tried the new baby leaf just dropped, got a microscope, and YUCK these little buggers where there, 1 time I used a huge cardboard box to spray in to, but was pretty messy, the other 2 times i use a huge plastic bin sideways on a table, point a light to the inside and spray the plant all turning it in between, bin is easy to clean at the end, I will repeat weekly for 8 weeks in total, just don't trust them lol, seen huge improvement in baby leaf growing in some plants that I never seen in years, fingers crossed it will continue to work, so glad my collection is not as big as it was before the move lol
did it help for your thrips problem? Not sure if I have flat mites, might need to check as one of my two hoya is not growing. But I definitely have thirps and I saw some spider mites on a new alocasia :( so if it helps there as well then it might be a shot to just use this on my 120 plants.
Really useful video, Emma. Thank you for sharing your experience - I hope they are gone forever. By any chance: do you know whether beneficial mites (those that eat thrips and spider mites - e.g. A. cucumeris, P. Persimilis) eat flat mites too? I hope they do (since flatmites are even smaller - they could) :-) But any advice on that would be helpful.
Here's some info I found about the beneficial mites vs flat mites: The most common two are Neoseiulus californicus and Amblyseius cucumeris. Also used commonly are Amblyseius swirskii, but these generalists have a preference for thrips and whiteflies. All three mites are generalists, meaning they will eat whatever pests they can find, and may also survive on pollen in the absence of pests. •Californicus eats fewer pests, may also eat some mite eggs, and does well at higher temps/humidity. Lifecycle 1-3 weeks. •Cucumeris is more voracious, consuming 3-5x the number of mites as californicus, but is not as effective above 80F or in extreme humidity. Lifecycle 1-4 weeks. This would indicate that californicus might be more effective in cabinets, while cucumeris might be better for plants growing in ambient, depending on climate.
@@reannaday Cool. So far I have been using Cucumeris and Persimilis in combination - they seem to work well on both young thrips and mites (hopefully on all mites then), without eating each other 🙂
After seeing this show I think I have flat mites! 😮I ordered sulfur and a sprayer and will treat my collection of 165 plants. Would you recommend using sulfur on any new plants that you bring into your home?
Great information. I have a orchid collection and have been battling mites for the past two winters when they come back inside. Lost almost all my house plant collection they were so infected. THANK YOU!!
Just to let everyone know, Google said that neem oil will take care of flat mites. I tried it and it worked. I spray a "pool" of it in a dish and use a soft artists' paint brush or makeup brush to apply it to the plant. Sulfur is old school: used back in the last house plant craze of the 70's.
So glad you got ride of the flat mites and great advice
Hi I'm happy you got rid of your flat mites. I jusy want to say it's a misconception that flat mites cant be killed with pesticides. It might depend on the type of flat mites it is, but you can use a miticide. The miticide have to be in direct contact with an mite to work, so you still need to treat multiple times. Pesticides that make the plant toxic to the mite (like provanto, which uses Flupyradifurone, are not effective on mites). There might be systemic granules that work on mites, but I have only researched the ones that are allowed to be used by hobbies in my country, and the only one we can use is Provanto. I have done a lot of research on this topic as I got flat mites my self, and saw on youtube that a lot of people said that only sulfur works. I used a Pyrethrin based pesticide (wich is considered quite safe as it is not toxic to humans or pest, and is derived form chrysanthemum flowers). I got rid of the problem rather fast. The solution I used have Pyrethrin solved in oil, so it works as a horticultural oil as well. Also, everybody talks about having flat mites on their hoyas, that depends on the type of flat mite. The ones I got lived on top of the leaves, and attacked my marathas and anthuriums. I had hoyas in close praximety, but they were not interested in them. Alos pray for me, I just found thrips on 3 of my plants, and they are at oposite sides in my plant room, so i think I have to treat all 100 plants in the room 😢 I respect the work Emma did when she treated all her plants in her collection. That had to be a lot of work!
Great video! So far (to my knowledge 🙈) I haven't had these bugs, but now I know more about them so I can keep an extra eye out 😊
I'd love to see you make an Alocasia corms video, I'm super into Alocasia atm and I'm really curious how the corm part works too 🥰
I'd never heard of flat mites, and from the sound of their damage I need to check a couple of plants 😬
Good info; thanks for sharing Emma!
Thank you Emma, I don’t think I have any pests, fingers crossed, but I’m trying to learn as collecting plants is a relatively new thing for me and I want to be prepared and not just panic and throw my plant’s away, that’s probably what I could have done. Now I can be prepared if I do get them.
I
I used to think that flat mites only affect people who live in flats 😂
LOL UHM SAME
😂😂😂😂😂😂
I need to treat a few hoya. Ugh. And THANK YOU for wearing a mask and gloves!
Hi Emma! Will Diatomaceous Earth work on Flat mites?
Thankyou for this video also!❤🐾🌿
When you said their eggs are hidden in the cracks of the stems, that gave me clear perspective on how small 😳
thank you soooo much for this very useful video!!!
You can use masking tape to stick on the plant or lint roller then look at that.
I did that sulfur treatment 4 times every 2 weeks on all my plants also and left the sulfur on. The reason I continued every 2 weeks is the mites found the new growth. It did give 6 of my 24 Hoya root rot so beware multiple treatments can damage the roots and it is difficult to keep the liquid sulfur from your soil. I still have flatmites and I also use systemic granulars as well Right now I remove any damaged flatmites leaves immediately and spray weekly with water/alcohol/peroxide during watering. I also keep my plants away from each other and wipe down tables etc often with sanitizer
I did the sulfur treatments, and they do work, but it's so messy. I ended up using Bonide insecticidal soap and that worked to kill the flat mites just as well as the sulfur, but without any mess. Any brand of insecticidal soap will work, you just have to keep up with the treatments the same length of time as you would with the sulfur powder. Sulfur powder is also a great antifungal for new cuttings... 50/50 mix of sulfur powder and rooting hormone powder. 💚
Thank you Emma!! Loved this! I just wanted to ask where do you usually buy your houseplants from and do you have any Etsy shop recommendations ?
Oh no Emma I am going to have nightmares now! 😭😂
No flat mites in my collection, but I also use systemic granules. Came to check it out.
I use a systemic that also kills mites. And so far haven't had any problems. It's over the counter here in the u s . And I only use it when I buy plants and twice a year after that.
What is it called?
@@Yoliplanting it's actually 2 both by ortho I can't think of the names and not at the house. I switch between them so less chances of the bugs becoming immune. It's a concentrate and I spray it on the plants. Can be used either way.
When you have a free moment would you please drop us the name...I'm all about prevention.... prevention...prevention....
@@kbm4409 they are from Ortho they're systemic they have 3 or 4 . One is bug b gone and the other is systemic insects killer. But you will want to go to home depot or Lowes and read all of them to see which ones will work for your situation. But they do stink and of course use neem also for a 1 2 punch.
yesterday was spray day #3 lol my collection is not huge, but my hoyas where not growing and if they tried the new baby leaf just dropped, got a microscope, and YUCK these little buggers where there, 1 time I used a huge cardboard box to spray in to, but was pretty messy, the other 2 times i use a huge plastic bin sideways on a table, point a light to the inside and spray the plant all turning it in between, bin is easy to clean at the end, I will repeat weekly for 8 weeks in total, just don't trust them lol, seen huge improvement in baby leaf growing in some plants that I never seen in years, fingers crossed it will continue to work, so glad my collection is not as big as it was before the move lol
I flip my shower curtain over the rod and spray in the tub.
did it help for your thrips problem? Not sure if I have flat mites, might need to check as one of my two hoya is not growing. But I definitely have thirps and I saw some spider mites on a new alocasia :( so if it helps there as well then it might be a shot to just use this on my 120 plants.
also.. I think you are looking very pretty and healthy.
Really useful video, Emma. Thank you for sharing your experience - I hope they are gone forever.
By any chance: do you know whether beneficial mites (those that eat thrips and spider mites - e.g. A. cucumeris, P. Persimilis) eat flat mites too? I hope they do (since flatmites are even smaller - they could) :-) But any advice on that would be helpful.
Here's some info I found about the beneficial mites vs flat mites: The most common two are Neoseiulus californicus and Amblyseius cucumeris. Also used commonly are Amblyseius swirskii, but these generalists have a preference for thrips and whiteflies. All three mites are generalists, meaning they will eat whatever pests they can find, and may also survive on pollen in the absence of pests.
•Californicus eats fewer pests, may also eat some mite eggs, and does well at higher temps/humidity. Lifecycle 1-3 weeks.
•Cucumeris is more voracious, consuming 3-5x the number of mites as californicus, but is not as effective above 80F or in extreme humidity. Lifecycle 1-4 weeks.
This would indicate that californicus might be more effective in cabinets, while cucumeris might be better for plants growing in ambient, depending on climate.
@@reannaday Cool. So far I have been using Cucumeris and Persimilis in combination - they seem to work well on both young thrips and mites (hopefully on all mites then), without eating each other 🙂
After seeing this show I think I have flat mites! 😮I ordered sulfur and a sprayer and will treat my collection of 165 plants. Would you recommend using sulfur on any new plants that you bring into your home?
I am 8 minutes in and all I got to say is UGH.... I hate FLATMITES
I thought I had spider mites but there was no webbing. So yeah I definitely have flat mites. Ugh they are awful
So people with sulfur water are better off for plants and having no mites?
Can this be used as a preventative?
How do you use sulfur
I can't believe I am first! Thank for the vid
Awe, shucks 😂
I literally just got done putting sulfur on the majority of my plants. I'm not sure I have flat mites, though 😂 better safe than sorry, lol.
I say majority because I also have some carnivorous plants that I didn't put the sulfur on.
💚
I hoped youd cover this. Thankfully I have sulphur already.