How can I get rid of spider mite using home remedies? - briefly
Apply a diluted insecticidal soap or a solution of water, a few drops of mild dish detergent, and a tablespoon of horticultural oil, spraying thoroughly onto leaf undersides. Repeat the treatment every five days until the mites are eliminated.
How can I get rid of spider mite using home remedies? - in detail
Spider mites thrive in warm, dry conditions and can quickly damage foliage by sucking plant sap. Effective household control relies on disrupting their life cycle, reducing humidity, and applying contact agents that are safe for indoor and outdoor plants.
A first step is to isolate affected plants. Move them away from healthy specimens, and prune heavily infested leaves or shoots. Discard the trimmed material in sealed bags to prevent re‑introduction.
Home‑based treatments include:
- Water spray: Use a strong jet of lukewarm water to wash leaves, focusing on the undersides where mites congregate. Repeat every 2–3 days for two weeks.
- Soap solution: Mix 1 teaspoon of mild liquid dish soap with 1 liter of water. Apply thoroughly, ensuring coverage of both leaf surfaces. Soap breaks the mites’ protective coating, causing desiccation. Rinse after 30 minutes if the plant is sensitive.
- Neem oil: Combine 1 tablespoon of cold‑pressed neem oil with 1 liter of water and a few drops of mild soap as an emulsifier. Spray at sunrise or sunset to avoid leaf burn. Neem interferes with feeding and reproduction; repeat every 5–7 days.
- Alcohol rub: Dilute 70 % isopropyl alcohol to a 1 % solution (10 ml alcohol in 1 liter water). Apply with a spray bottle or a soft cloth. Alcohol penetrates the mite’s exoskeleton, causing rapid mortality. Use sparingly on delicate foliage.
- Pepper‑mint oil: Add 5 drops of pure peppermint essential oil to 1 liter of water with a few drops of soap. The strong scent repels mites and other pests. Apply weekly.
- Baking soda spray: Dissolve 1 teaspoon of baking soda in 1 liter of water, add a few drops of soap, and spray. The alkaline solution disrupts mite respiration.
After each application, monitor leaf condition. If discoloration or leaf drop occurs, reduce concentration or increase the interval between sprays. Maintaining proper humidity (50–70 %) and providing adequate ventilation slows mite reproduction. Regularly clean plant pots and surrounding surfaces to eliminate fallen debris that can harbor eggs.
For severe infestations, combine two methods—such as a soap spray followed by a neem oil treatment—while observing the plant’s response. Consistent application over several weeks typically eradicates the population and prevents resurgence.