Spider Mites Treatment

Spider mites are common pests that attack the garden as well as indoor plants. They have a small body which is less than 1 mm in size. They thrive well in dry, warm environment. They live in the underside of the plant leaves and suck out essential nutrients from the leaves and stems with the help of their piercing mouth. This way they cause extensive damage to the plants. While living on leaf surface, they spin out silk webs to protect themselves from predator attack. They got the name 'spider' because of this webbing. Its infestation can be recognized with these silk webs and discolored leaves of the plants. Spider mites treatment should start as soon as you notice these signs because they multiply in numbers very rapidly and aggravate the problem further.

How to Get Rid of Spider Mites

After you notice the signs of spider mite attack, you have to confirm it with the help of a simple test. Hold a white piece of paper under the plant and tap its branch lightly. You will find tiny specks moving on the paper. Once it is confirmed, you have to take some prompt action. If it is a container plant, isolate the plant as soon as possible, so that the spider mites do not affect other nearby plants. Then use one or more of the following techniques for controlling spider mites.

Wash the Plant Thoroughly
Wash each and every part of the plant including stems, foliage and underside of the leaves with a strong jet of water. The tiny insects cannot withstand the force of water and will be dislodged from the leaves. Thus you can make the plant free from the pest.

Introduce Predatory Mites
This is a safe and simple method of killing spider mites. You can purchase these predatory mites and release them in the infested area for destroying spider mite. If it is an outdoor plant, then you can take the help of other insects in the garden to resolve the problem. Larvae of several flies, lady beetle, big-eyed bugs, minute pirate bugs, etc. are to name a few which are beneficial in this regard. To keep these insects alive, spray insecticide in the garden with great caution so that they do not get killed.

Use Mild Dish Washing Soap
Prepare a soapy solution by mixing 5 tablespoons of liquid dish soap into a gallon of water. Spray this solution on the bottom of each and every leaves of the plant. Those spider mites that come in contact with this solution will get killed. You have to spray this mixture several times before all the spider mites are eradicated from the plant.

Prepare a Homemade Insecticide
You need rubbing alcohol and water to make the insecticide. Mix equal quantities of alcohol and water, and spray it all over the plant. Alcohol is a poison for the spider mites and will kill them instantly. However, it will not cause any damage to the leaves or plants because it evaporates in no time.

Control with Chemicals
There are some pesticides available which are specially formulated for spider mites. You can use these miticides to kill them. You have to apply these chemical based products repeatedly after a gap of every 5-6 days before you get rid of spider mites completely. Since these products have harsh chemicals in them and have to be applied several times, you must use them only when other safe treatment methods fail to show results.

Apply Neem Oil
Most people are not too keen to use chemical based insecticides to treat spider mites on houseplants. They can opt for neem oil for pest control. We all are aware of the insecticidal property of neem oil and is highly effective even on heavy spider mites infestations. It is an organic substance and is not going to cause any harm to either the plant or the environment. Water the plant first and then put the neem oil in a spray bottle and apply it generously.

After successful elimination of the harmful pests with the help of spider mites treatment, you have to be extra careful to prevent its recurrence. Check the plants regularly for signs of spider mite. Lack of moisture in plants is often responsible for sudden attack of spider mites on plants. Therefore, you must prevent dryness of the plant by regularly watering it and limiting sun exposure in the late afternoon.