tutorial The Pest Guide

[Dino]

My chilli just before it ripens to red is scabbing up like this it looks like the flesh is dying does anyone know what it is and how to fix it thx

 

[John J]

Im new here and do not know if it has been mentioned but WARNING TO ALL:
 
Do NOT spray any baby or young plants with the "new" Seven spray. 
 
It just came out this year and has very different active ingredients from Seven dust or the old spray.
 
I was trying to kill cut worms, which have been a problem for my pepper plants for years in the spring, and ended up killing some beautiful Nagas and Bubblegum babies. The spray is TOXIC to little peppers, don't spray them with it, use something else, preferably nothing. It will kill peppers in about 60 min.

 

[nmlarson]

At the request of another member, I'll cross post this message.
 
Here's a site I find myself referring to often in my gardening that may help answer some of your questions.  It's a fairly concise compendium of garden pests, how to identify, what to do to eradicate and how to prevent.  It's a great reference for beginner gardeners and experienced gardeners alike.
 
http://bigbughunt.co.../bug-index.aspx
 
The company is actually collecting data for a future app that could, potentially, warn of future outbreaks, based on the reports they've received and environmental conditions in that region.  It's kind of a neat idea.  It's a huge undertaking and I hope they actually get the app up and running.

 

[Malarky]

Spider mite?
they seem solitary but there are lots of them running around all over outside. they are very fast.
No webbing noticed, that i can't attribute to a real spider guardian.
i smush them when i see them
should i neem the plants? I've never used any kind of pesticide...or watch and wait?

 

[nmlarson]

Looks like a spider mite to me. If you don't want to go the neem route, you could try a stiff spray of water from your hose.  Personally, I'd use the neem.  Do it just before nightfall, as it will have effect on the beneficial insects, too. 

 

[Honey Badger]

Spider mite?
they seem solitary but there are lots of them running around all over outside. they are very fast.
No webbing noticed, that i can't attribute to a real spider guardian.
i smush them when i see them
should i neem the plants? I've never used any kind of pesticide...or watch and wait?

 
I have those as well but I don't think they are mites. They are too big and too fast for mites. 
 

 
Somebody may be able to tell us what this creature is. It could be baby spider or a tick or indeed a mite.
 
The main question is, should be exterminated or let live?
 
 

 

[nmlarson]

If it's a tick, kill it.  If it's a mite, kill it. 
 
I'm not saying I know everything about spiders, but every spider I've ever seen has two body segments, separated by a "waist."  Yours don't.
 
I say kill 'em.

 

[Honey Badger]

If it's a tick, kill it.  If it's a mite, kill it. 
 
I'm not saying I know everything about spiders, but every spider I've ever seen has two body segments, separated by a "waist."  Yours don't.
 
I say kill 'em.

 
Could it be predatory mite? In which case, they should be left alone.
 
I would really like to find out what this thing is. They are fast and run around like crazy. Easy to squash but too many to kill one by one.

 

[nmlarson]

Then, I'd suggest you contact your local Ag Extension Office and speak with a Master Gardener.  They can probably give you a definitive answer. Yours actually has "walk-in" service.  I'd call first, but get yourself some sticky tape, collect a few samples and pay them a visit.  Then let us all know what you find out!
 
https://dane.uwex.edu/horticulture/

 

[solid7]

That certainly looks like a spider mite. 
.
For quick confirmation, look closely at your leaves to see if any of them look like they are "bleaching".  If you've got plants that are going white, from the millions of little holes the bastards poke in the leaves, then you'd best get to treating...

 

[scrufy]

Went through quite a few pages and surprised I didnt see rats. Did see chipmunks but not squirrels or rats.
Theyve been the bane of my grows for 10 plus years.
This year Im trying some of the newer electronic devices that do multi frequency high pitched sound.
Tried the powder / granule repellant and I think they like it so much they probably roll in it to scratch their backs.

Pest Report

Pest name Small Rodents, Squirrels/Rats

Threat level: 3
Location:world wide
Control: Chemical
Biological Control: Organic
Prevention:Electronic Control: ultrasonic (untested but Ill report back in a week or two)
Damage caused:eat pods and leaves, usually taking a single bite of each almost ripe pod.

 

[Honey Badger]

Spider mite?
they seem solitary but there are lots of them running around all over outside. they are very fast.
No webbing noticed, that i can't attribute to a real spider guardian.
i smush them when i see them
should i neem the plants? I've never used any kind of pesticide...or watch and wait?

 
I found that this creature is indeed a mite but the predatory one. So, it should be left alone to do its thing, which is eating damaging red spider mites.
 
Phytoseiulus (Pronounced: FY-TOE-SOO-LUS) persimilis is a predatory mite capable of eating large numbers of red spider mites, it moves amongst the plants to find its prey.
 
It is slightly larger than the red spider mite. With a pear shaped shiny red body, it has long legs and is a quick mover. Young stages are oval and very pale pink.
 
 
https://www.defenders.co.uk/pest-solutions/spider-mite-control.html

 

[DontPanic]

Went through quite a few pages and surprised I didnt see rats. Did see chipmunks but not squirrels or rats.
Theyve been the bane of my grows for 10 plus years.
This year Im trying some of the newer electronic devices that do multi frequency high pitched sound.
Tried the powder / granule repellant and I think they like it so much they probably roll in it to scratch their backs.

Pest Report

Pest name Small Rodents, Squirrels/Rats

Threat level: 3
Location:world wide
Control: Chemical
Biological Control: Organic
Prevention:Electronic Control: ultrasonic (untested but Ill report back in a week or two)
Damage caused:eat pods and leaves, usually taking a single bite of each almost ripe pod.

 
For squirrels, I've been having some luck simply sprinkling/broadcasting crushed red pepper around the base of my plants.  The crushed red pepper does seem to lose its effectiveness after it's been watered or rained on, so I have to re-apply.
 
As long as I have a relatively fresh application of pepper, I've had good results.  But, the strength wears off.
 
What kind of damage do rats inflict?
 

 

[scrufy]

They,be been chewing the unripe pods, and taking a single bite out of every just ripening pod. Seems like they bite it, say oh dam thats hot, and move on to the next one. I lost 40 or more pods a couple years ago. Only thing that saved me was having about 40 plants so the sheer number made it so i had a decent harvest.
Im done with them tnis year. Im about at the get out a shotgun with a 2 liter soda botlle full of foam on the end(for the noise) and camping out... j/k of course but its that maddening.

 

[scrufy]

Well I can say diatomaceous earth, liquid repellent, ultrasonic deterrents, are all a joke. The rats actually chewed a foot up a watermelon vine and ate 2 more pods. I did catch ome in the live trap i put out with a piece of chees. Traps name is misleading. Hes no longer live. Rebaited trap and awaiting tonights catch. Buying more traps.

 

[DontPanic]

Wow! Those guys sound persistent.

I'll count myself lucky that I can manage my ground rodents with red pepper for now. I hope I'm not simply getting them immune to peppers.

 

[skullbiker]

Well I can say diatomaceous earth, liquid repellent, ultrasonic deterrents, are all a joke. The rats actually chewed a foot up a watermelon vine and ate 2 more pods. I did catch ome in the live trap i put out with a piece of chees. Traps name is misleading. Hes no longer live. Rebaited trap and awaiting tonights catch. Buying more traps.

Feed them some Pb pills at high speed.

 

[Honey Badger]

I have a grey squirrel problem, they are decimating my apples. I wouldn't mind too much if they weren't so wasteful. They take a bite of the green fruit, spit it out and move to another. I never wanted to hurt them, I don't depend on those apples but if they touch my chillies, I'll get really cross. I have seen some youtube videos on how to build effective kill traps or I may get an air rifle to dent their number a little.
 
They are cute and nice to watch but the damage they cause is not worth it. Greys are considered pests in UK and as long as they are despatched humanely, it's OK.

 

[scrufy]

Caught another one last night. Re baited the trap. Ill keep this up till either the trashcans full or they are all gone.
Call me the pied piper of pasadena except the pipes gonna be upside their head lol.
Sorry if it sounds so harsh but Im totally fed up.hundreds of hours making hydro stuff, then the raised beds for ground plants, caring for them... have 30 or more beutiful healthy plants, and get no pods... Im done- its on.

 

[Malarky]

Bad Guy???