How can I fight spider mite on indoor houseplants? - briefly
Increase humidity, regularly spray leaves with a strong jet of water, and apply insecticidal soap or neem oil according to label directions, repeating every 5‑7 days until mites disappear. Remove heavily infested foliage, quarantine the plant, and monitor with a magnifying lens to ensure complete eradication.
How can I fight spider mite on indoor houseplants? - in detail
Spider mites thrive in dry, warm indoor conditions, so the first step is to lower the ambient temperature and increase humidity around affected plants. Place a tray of water near heat sources, mist foliage daily, or use a humidifier to maintain relative humidity above 60 %. Consistently moist leaf surfaces discourage mite reproduction.
Inspect leaves regularly. Look for tiny, moving specks, fine webbing on the undersides, or stippled yellowing. Early detection allows intervention before populations explode.
Physical removal:
- Rinse plants with a strong stream of lukewarm water, directing flow to the leaf undersides.
- Wipe each leaf with a soft cloth or cotton swab soaked in water.
- For heavily infested foliage, detach and discard leaves that cannot be cleaned.
Chemical options:
- Apply insecticidal soap at the label‑recommended concentration, covering both leaf surfaces. Repeat every 5–7 days until mites disappear.
- Use neem oil mixed with water and a few drops of mild detergent. Spray thoroughly, ensuring runoff does not pool.
- For resistant infestations, select a miticide approved for indoor use (e.g., abamectin or spirodiclofen). Follow safety precautions, limit exposure to humans and pets, and rotate products to prevent resistance.
Biological control:
- Introduce predatory mites such as Phytoseiulus persimilis or Neoseiulus californicus. Release them according to package instructions; they will seek out and consume spider mites, providing long‑term suppression.
Cultural prevention:
- Avoid over‑fertilizing with high nitrogen, which produces tender growth favored by mites.
- Keep plants isolated from one another during quarantine periods after acquisition.
- Clean pots, trays, and surrounding surfaces regularly to eliminate residual eggs.
Monitoring:
- Set up sticky traps on plant stands to capture moving mites and gauge population levels.
- Record observations weekly; adjust treatment frequency based on mite counts.
Combining humidity management, diligent sanitation, targeted sprays, and, when appropriate, predatory mites delivers comprehensive control of spider mite infestations on indoor houseplants.