FAQ: Hydroponics and Spider Mite control using MiteShield

Spider Mite control in Hydroponics Systems

For Spider Mite control in hydroponics systems, simply prepare using the standard instructions using 2 litres for every 10 plants on the system, or 200ml of prepared solution per plant.

Pour this solution into the reservoir and allow it to circulate for 12 hours – but not more than a 24 hours. If you are using Coco – you may water each individual plant with 200ml of the solution.

Hydroponics and clearing MiteShield using UV light after treatment.

In a Hydroponics system the risk is that MiteShield will continually circulate in the water and ‘overdose’ the plant. It’s not a good idea to overstimulate your plants with MiteShield this way.

To avoid this from happening, we advise that once the treatment period explained above is completed, the circulating water in your hydroponics system be exposed to UV light at some point in the circuit – typically the reservoir.

The UV light can be introduced in a few different ways

1. Halogen bulbs emit sufficient UV light for the MiteShield to be denatured. However, many of these bulbs have UV filters. Check with your manufacturer to find out which type you have. If you’re growing indoors using Halogen bulbs which emit UV light, then no further steps may be necessary. 
2. A standard, inexpensive fish-tank UV light can be shone into the reservoir for between 2-6 hours – enough time for all the water in the circuit to be exposed to it. You can also buy inexpensive blacklight/UV lightbulbs that fit in standard sockets from hardware shops, pet shops or online.
3. The UV light in direct sunlight will also do the trick.

After MiteShield has been applied and mixed into the hydroponics system, shine your UV light into the reservoir for at least 3 hours with the water circulating to denature the preparation.

Now sit back and watch the mites gradually clear off your plants over the course of two to six days.