How can a spider mite be eliminated? - briefly
Effective control options include applying insecticidal soap, neem oil, or horticultural oil and releasing predatory mites such as Phytoseiulus persimilis. Remove heavily infested leaves and keep humidity low to prevent recurrence.
How can a spider mite be eliminated? - in detail
Spider mites thrive on the undersides of leaves, feeding on plant sap and causing stippling, yellowing, and reduced vigor. Early detection relies on visual inspection with a magnifying lens; look for tiny moving specks and fine webbing.
Effective control combines cultural, biological, and chemical tactics:
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Cultural measures
- Reduce humidity by increasing airflow with fans or proper plant spacing.
- Avoid excessive nitrogen fertilizer; high nitrogen promotes rapid leaf growth that favors mites.
- Remove heavily infested foliage and discard it away from the growing area.
- Water plants with a strong jet to dislodge mites from leaf surfaces.
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Biological agents
- Predatory mites (e.g., Phytoseiulus persimilis, Neoseiulus californicus) prey on all life stages of spider mites; release them when populations exceed 5 mites per leaf.
- Entomopathogenic fungi such as Beauveria bassiana infect and kill mites; apply as a foliar spray following label instructions.
- Lady beetle larvae and lacewing larvae provide supplemental predation in greenhouse settings.
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Chemical options
- Neem oil, applied at 2 ml L⁻¹, interferes with mite feeding and reproduction; repeat every 7–10 days until counts drop below economic threshold.
- Insecticidal soaps (potassium salts of fatty acids) penetrate mite cuticles; use concentrations of 1–2 % and ensure thorough coverage of leaf undersides.
- Abamectin, a miticide, offers rapid knockdown; limit to three applications per season to prevent resistance buildup.
Monitoring remains essential. Use sticky traps or leaf samples weekly; maintain mite numbers below 10 per leaf segment to avoid economic damage. Rotate miticides with different modes of action and integrate predators to sustain long‑term suppression.