Spider Mites on Houseplants

Houseplants lend a sense of calm and peace to your home. After returning from a stressful and hectic day at work, the little greenery provided by them can be soothing. But spider mites can ruin these plants and hence, it is extremely important to keep them away.

What are Spider Mites?

Spider mites fall in the category of arachnids, which also includes other insects like spiders, scorpions, ticks, etc. They are very small and not very easy to spot with the naked eye. There are many species of spider mites and hence their color may vary from red, brown, yellow to green. They are usually found on the underside of the leaves of plants and are a common pest among houseplants. These insects are tenacious as well as contagious among plants and cause damage by puncturing their cells in order to feed on them.

Spider mites are less than 1mm and lay small, spherical eggs, which are transparent in the initial stages. To protect their colonies from outside danger, these mites spin silk webs. Hot, dry conditions are suited for their growth. They have piercing mouth parts, and suck fluids from leaves and take away the nutrients from the plants, making them weak. The leaves become rust-colored and are filled with many tiny specks, and fall off prematurely.

How to Get Rid of Spider Mites?

• A plant infected by spider mites can be identified by holding a white paper below the underside of the leaves and gently tapping the leaf. If tiny rust-colored particles fall on the paper, then your plant has been infected.
• Isolation of the infected plant is one of the first steps in controlling the further spread of these mites on other plants.
• Spray a strong jet of water on the entire surface of the plant, if possible dip the entire plant in water. Make sure the infected parts like the underside of the leaves, stems, etc., are washed thoroughly. This will help in washing off the insects as well. Also, the topmost layer of the soil can be washed off as it may be infested by spider mites too.
• It is important to note that even if a small number of them are left behind, you will have another attack of infestation, as these pests multiple rapidly.
• For an organic solution, you can use a mix of insecticide soap and oil. Neem oil or pyrethrin can also be used for killing spider mites on houseplants.
• Natural predators and cold weather are the most effective methods of reducing and eliminating them. Natural predators of these arachnids include beetles, insects and other types of mites.

Prevention Tips

• The best way to avoid spider mite attacks on your plants is to check while buying the plants itself. This will save your other houseplants from getting infected.
• Also keep checking your plants for any signs of infection like tiny specks, webbing, and drying of leaves.
• Plants that are already stressed are easy targets for infestation. Most of these are in a hot dry house or greenhouses where there are no natural predators. So, make it a point to water the plants regularly and give them enough natural sunlight.

Getting rid of spider mites on houseplants is not an easy task. Constant checks are required to ensure that the plants do not get re-infested. But all the trouble is worth taking in order to have the much required greenery around you so that you can enjoy the benefits of indoor plants which can give you peace and happiness.