Spider mites

For most people, the first sign of Spider Mites is when the plant is irretrievably damaged. Spider Mites are tiny, oval shaped mites about the size of a pinhead or smaller. They actually spin a fine web on the plant which can be readily seen when it is too late. First signs are best and are difficult to spot. Tiny yellow speckle marks seen on the leaf surface are an early warning sign. Check under the leaf (with a magnifying glass if needed) to look for the pinhead-sized mites. Bring a flashlight and shine the light to pick up the tiny web the mites are beginning to spin. Later, you'll know the Spider Mites are there because the plant will be brown or yellow with a fine web all over it. You won't need a magnifying glass then, the plant will be swarming with adults in the web.

A Spider Mite infestation must be controlled immediately, the plant (and nearby plants) isolated (put them in TOTAL isolation from other plants or from any area you may put plants any time soon)until well past the time when no more Spider Mites are found. Even then . . . . . . . ... Spider mites can over-winter even very cold winters and eat your plants as soon as it warms. Spider mites go from egg to adult in about 2 weeks at moderate temperatures (about 70 degrees F) and a population can expand exponentially so fast you will lose plants before you even think spring is here. When summer comes, the life cycle compresses to about 1 week or even quicker.

The most common way to be infested with Spider Mites is to buy a plant at the store or greenhouse. When you purchase a new plant, isolate it for a while from your established plants until you have a chance to carefully inspect it (WITH a magnifying glass) for spider mites over about a week. Then, you can introduce the plant to your established plant area reasonably safely.

As the daylight gets shorter in the autumn, some or most of the mites turn red in color, stop feeding and egg laying, and hide through the winter. Spider mites can also float on wind currents, or be carried by pets or clothing. The common two-spot spider mite is found

throughout the world. The most common Spider Mite is the "two-spot." They are yellow or tan to greenish in color, and have two dark spots on their shoulders, one on each side. The size of the spots depends on the age of the mite, getting larger as the mite gets older. The spots may vary according to how much chlorophyll is in the plant fed on. Some plants produce mites

colored much darker than others.

Controlling Spider Mites

To start with, keep your house plants clean. It is difficult for a spider mite infestation to take hold on a clean plant. Use a mild soap diluted with barely warm water and clean the plants well. Where possible, wash the leaves in running water or if not possible, use a clean cloth frequently dipped to carefully clean the leaves and stems. For outside plants, hose carefully on a regular basis.

Herbal insecticides are helpful for immediate control of house plants. Or, you might get some predators for your outside plants. You may watch for pirate bugs, ladybugs, or green lacewings in your garden as these will keep down the spider mites naturally. If this is not working, you may need to order some of these or other predators to release in your garden area to keep down Spider Mites, aphids, thrips or other pests.

If you have a small greenhouse, you may try humidity control. High humidity adversely affects the Spider Mites and will help control them. With enough plants in a plant area (greenhouse or porch) you might try releasing predatory species but usually with potted plants a spray is going to be your first choice. Do try the herbal sprays first before applying Walmart poisons. BUT, if it comes to it, use the poisons wisely but do save your plants.