This process is particularly useful for pests and
diseases that grow rapidly; however, mites developing
from eggs may take some time to show symptoms
and careful inspection with a magnification lens is
required. Apart from new plant material, mites can
make their way into an
otherwise clean and
pest-free hydroponic
system through other
methods. They are the
ultimate hitchhiker;
simply brushing
against an infested tree
will transfer mites onto
clothing, which could
then transfer them into
a clean indoor garden.
Mites can travel on
shoes, clothing, skin,
hair, pets, equipment
and tools, in composts
and organic growing
media, in dust, on
soil debris, and may
even be carried by
other pests such as
whiteflies. While
mites technically can’t
fly, they do travel on
parachutes made of the
fine webbing they spin,
carried on air currents
through doors and
ventilation systems.
Often greenhouse crops and indoor gardens that have
persistent problems with mite reoccurrence have an
outdoor source of the pests in the surrounding area. The
source could be outdoor crops or ornamental gardens
with species particularly attractive to mites. When
outdoor conditions are favorable, massive population
explosions of these pests occur. Under these conditions,
" Mites can
travel
on shoes, clothing, skin, hair,
pets, equipment and tools, in
composts and organic growing
media, in dust, on soil debris,
and may even be carried by
other pests such as whitefly.”
76
Maximum Yield
mites are particularly persistent and will readily infest new
areas, particularly those that are sheltered, warm, and dry.
To help prevent infestations, commercial indoor hydroponic
facilities take precautions such as having employees change
clothes, or wear coveralls, shoe coverings, hair nets, and
gloves before entering the production area. Foot baths with
sanitizer at the entrance and a double door entry system are
also used. Smaller indoor gardeners may not be so keen to
undertake these types of precautions. However, not entering
the indoor area directly after working outside in the garden,
washing hands before touching the plants, and not using
outdoor tools, composts, or containers in the hydroponic
garden will help prevent infestations.
Mites traveling through vents on air currents are a
possibility if outdoor vegetation is harboring this pest. This
is most common in late summer when infestations have built
to the level that adults will spin webbing and float to a new
home. Filtering air intakes can help prevent this, but door
entries may also be a point of infiltration, particularly when
they lead directly outdoors.