Spider mites can launch swift assaults against your house plants, shrubs, flowers, garden fruits and vegetables, and trees. But don’t worry, we’ve got solid tips on how to get rid of spider mites and say goodbye to this invisible foe.
Since spider mites are practically invisible, it’s not easy to get rid of them. But you can fight them with biological control methods, natural home remedies, or chemical pesticides.
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Cousins to ticks, spiders, harvestmen (aka daddy longlegs), and scorpions, spider mites are tiny arachnids, rather than insects. They’re about the size of a single grain of sugar, so these oval-shaped, eight-legged critters are tough to spot without the aid of a microscope or magnifying glass.
Active during the warm, dry conditions of summer, spider mites can move from plant to plant, or outside to inside, by hitching rides on people and other plants.
Telltale signs of an infestation include white or yellow specks on leaves, webbing on houseplants, and dropping leaves. Other pests can produce similar problems, so make sure you’re dealing with spider mites before planning your eviction campaign.
How can you tell if you have a spider mites problem? The University of Minnesota Extension recommends holding a sheet of white paper or a paper plate under leaves where you suspect an infestation. Then, tap the leaves, and if mites are there, you’ll see little specks fall onto the paper and scurry around.
These natural predators keep spider mite populations in check with:
To encourage these beneficial insects to stick around, avoid using pesticides. Mulch flower and garden beds, and regularly water your plants and the lawn.
You can order live predatory mites and insects online for your indoor plants. Release them into the pots. These predatory mites and insects can consume hundreds of mites a day and don’t pose any danger to plants, people, or pets.
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A 2017 study found essential oils work well. The most effective at killing two-spotted spider mite eggs and adults are:
To make your own DIY spider mite spray, fill a spray bottle with water and a few drops of your chosen oil from the recommended list, and apply it to the leaves of your affected plants.
Neem oil sprays also work against spider mites by suffocating them.
Extracts from peppers were tested for toxicity against spider mites. These peppers killed about 45% of adult spider mites:
Other pepper varieties, such as lemon drop peppers and Bishop’s crown peppers, also repel spider mites.
You can buy hot pepper repellent online, in stores, or, you can make your own pepper repellent.
Spider mite problems may resolve on their own, especially if their numbers are low and your yard attracts their natural predators. But if other DIY methods haven’t worked for you, control spider mites with chemical pesticides.
While you generally should avoid using pesticides because they can kill beneficial insects, there’s a version that will eliminate spider mites and nothing else. Only effective on contact with adult spider mites, insecticidal soap or horticultural oil should cover both sides of leaves.
Note: If your plants are stressed from drought or outside temperatures are high, do not use insecticidal soap or horticultural oil. Check the labels of these products to see which plants can safely withstand application. Some plants are too sensitive to the ingredients.
Insecticidal soap (or horticultural oil) will most likely work best for indoor plants, where the environment is climate-controlled.
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Diatomaceous earth, which is made from fossils of aquatic organisms, is an organic pesticide that is lethal to arachnids and insects but non-toxic to humans. Sprinkle the food-grade version on infected plants and soil. It will dehydrate the spider mites’ exoskeletons, killing them.
Traditional pesticides, like the ones containing pyrethroids (components of the chrysanthemum flower), do not work on spider mites, according to the University of California‘s integrated pest management office. Instead, these types of insecticides can harm the natural predators of spider mites, allowing the mites to continue reproducing.
Preventing spider mites from attacking your plants in the first place is the goal. Before introducing any new houseplants into your home, use the white paper test mentioned earlier to check for signs of the mites. If mites are present, do not purchase that plant.
Once home (with an uninfected plant), don’t display your new greenery near open windows or heat vents. Spider mites could enter from outside, and they thrive in warm, dry places.
Keeping dust on plants to a minimum also can help keep spider mites away. Simply wipe plant leaves with a damp cloth weekly.
Regular watering of your plants can repel spider mites, as these pests prefer dryness.
Severe infestations may require help from pest control professionals. These pros will come to your home, identify the pests, assess mite damage, and develop a plan to get rid of the spider mites.
Using integrated pest management, these specialists will not only exterminate your spider mite problem but also monitor the situation and help educate you on ways you can prevent a recurrence.
Now, instead of nightmares, your dreams of a pest-free plant collection can become a reality, and you can say goodbye to these ghost-like pests for good.
Pest Gnome writer Raven Wisdom updated this article.
Main Image Credit: Mokkie / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0
Source: https://gardencourte.com
Categories: Outdoor
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