Organic ways to get rid of spider mites on tomato plants ??

Question

My tomatoes are doing great but a spider mite infestation has developed. I like to keep things organic and I'm having trouble getting information on ways to deter spider mites on tomatoes. I've heard that diatomaceous earth or salt water work through severe dehydration of the insects, will this also cause the tomatoes to shrivel and dehydrate? Does garlic water work well against spider mites?

Answer 1

Try this recipe.  It works on a lot of different pests and even fungus:

10 drops dishsoap

1.8 ml cinnamon extract (about 1/2 tsp.)

2 cups tepid water

Answer 2

First you can wash them with a moderately vigorous spray to knock down the mite population. This will help the plants by lessening their loss of vital juices. Prepare a spray with a teaspoon of real soap such as Dr. Bronner's peppermint or eucalyptus liquid soap per gallon of water, or spray with Safer's horticultural soap to help dislodge and suffocate the pests. Mites are found on the underside of the leaves and must be sprayed there. If the plants are small or easy to handle it might be easier to dip them in the soapy water. Spraying can remove most but not all the mites, and it doesn't remove the eggs.  if its bad there is a product called avid that will do the job,

Answer 3

Well this is the reason why Garlic goes so well with Tomato sauce. Make a water, vinegar, and garlic mixer to spay on your plant as well plant garlic in your garden. This will get rid of your problem. Bugs do not like the smell or taste of garlic at all.

Answer 4

Using Food Grade Diatomaceous Earth, mix in spray bottle with some water, spray your plant, when the powder is dry on the plant when the mites come in contact with it, it cuts them and that is how the dehydrate.  Your plant will be perfectly fine problem solved.  Food Grade Diatomaceous Earth is one of the worlds best kept secrets.  I give it to my dog as well as my son and myself and have nothing but good things to say about it.  I don't know about Garlic water and Salt Water and plants just don't go together.  DE is the way to go!  You can find at www.freshwaterorganics.com they call it food grage DE or Fossil Shell Flour.