How can a ficus be treated for spider mites? - briefly
Apply insecticidal soap or neem oil to the foliage, ensuring thorough coverage and repeating every 5‑7 days until mites are gone. Isolate the plant, remove heavily infested leaves, and keep humidity low to discourage further outbreaks.
How can a ficus be treated for spider mites? - in detail
Spider mites appear as tiny specks on the undersides of leaves, often leaving fine webbing and stippled, yellowed foliage. Confirm their presence by holding a leaf up to bright light; moving insects will dart away. Immediate isolation of the affected plant prevents spread to nearby specimens.
Cultural actions
- Increase ambient humidity to 60 % or higher; mist leaves daily or place a tray of water nearby.
- Reduce temperature fluctuations; maintain a stable range of 65‑75 °F (18‑24 °C).
- Trim heavily infested shoots, discarding material in sealed bags.
Mechanical removal
- Rinse the plant with a strong stream of lukewarm water, focusing on leaf undersides; repeat every 2–3 days while the population declines.
- Use a soft brush or cotton swab dipped in soapy water (1 % mild dish detergent) to scrub visible mites.
Chemical options
- Apply a neem‑oil solution at 2 % concentration, spraying until runoff; reapply every 7 days for three applications.
- Use a horticultural oil (e.g., mineral or paraffin oil) at label‑recommended rate; ensure thorough coverage of all leaf surfaces.
- If the infestation persists, a systemic miticide such as abamectin may be employed according to product instructions, observing pre‑harvest intervals and safety precautions.
Biological controls
- Introduce predatory mites (Phytoseiulus persimilis or Neoseiulus californicus) at a rate of 10–20 mites per square foot; release them onto the plant’s canopy.
- Maintain conditions favorable to the predators: moderate humidity, avoidance of broad‑spectrum insecticides.
Monitoring and prevention
- Inspect foliage weekly for new webbing or discoloration.
- Keep the growing area clean; remove fallen leaves and debris promptly.
- Rotate plant placement periodically to disrupt mite life cycles.
- Avoid over‑fertilizing with high nitrogen, which promotes rapid leaf growth and mite proliferation.
Consistent application of these measures typically eliminates the pest within 2–4 weeks, restores leaf vigor, and reduces the risk of recurrence.