How can I eradicate mites on indoor plants? - briefly
Apply a miticidal treatment—such as «neem oil» or «insecticidal soap»—directly to foliage, repeat every 5‑7 days until mites disappear, keep humidity low, and wipe leaves regularly. Isolate infested plants and prune heavily damaged foliage to stop the infestation.
How can I eradicate mites on indoor plants? - in detail
Mite infestations on indoor foliage develop quickly under warm, dry conditions and can damage leaves, stunt growth, and spread to neighboring plants. Effective control requires a systematic approach that combines cultural, mechanical, chemical, and biological methods.
Identify the problem early by inspecting leaves for fine webbing, stippled discoloration, or tiny moving specks. Use a magnifying glass to confirm the presence of spider mites, broad‑range mites, or russet mites. Remove heavily infested foliage to reduce population density.
Implement cultural measures:
- Increase ambient humidity to 50‑70 % by misting plants, placing trays of water nearby, or using a humidifier.
- Maintain temperatures between 18 °C and 24 °C; avoid excessive heat that favors mite reproduction.
- Provide adequate ventilation while preventing drafts that dry leaf surfaces.
- Avoid over‑fertilizing with high nitrogen, which produces tender growth attractive to mites.
Apply mechanical tactics:
- Spray leaves with a strong jet of water to dislodge mites and their webs. Repeat every 2–3 days for two weeks.
- Prune heavily affected stems and dispose of them in sealed bags.
Select appropriate chemical controls when cultural and mechanical steps are insufficient:
- Use horticultural oil (e.g., neem oil or mineral oil) at the manufacturer‑recommended concentration. Apply to both upper and lower leaf surfaces, covering all plant parts.
- Apply insecticidal soap, ensuring thorough coverage. Re‑apply after 5–7 days to target newly hatched mites.
- Rotate products with different active ingredients to prevent resistance.
Introduce biological agents for sustainable management:
- Release predatory mites such as Phytoseiulus persimilis, Neoseiulus californicus, or Amblyseius swirskii. Distribute them evenly across the plant canopy; they will consume large numbers of pest mites.
- Maintain conditions favorable to predators: moderate humidity, avoidance of broad‑spectrum insecticides, and provision of alternative food sources like pollen.
Monitor progress weekly by re‑examining leaves. Continue treatments until no mites are observed for at least three consecutive inspections. Finally, establish a preventive routine: regular cleaning of leaf surfaces, periodic humidity checks, and periodic introductions of predatory mites to keep populations below damaging levels.