How can I treat impatiens for spider mite at home using folk remedies? - briefly
Mix a spray of diluted neem oil (1 tsp per quart of water) with a few drops of mild liquid soap and apply to foliage every 5–7 days until mites disappear. Alternatively, a solution of 1 part horticultural oil to 4 parts water, also suds‑enhanced, works similarly as a homemade control.
How can I treat impatiens for spider mite at home using folk remedies? - in detail
Impatiens infested with spider mites show stippled leaves, fine webbing on stems, and a yellowing of foliage. Prompt intervention prevents rapid colony expansion and protects blooming potential.
Identify the pest by examining the undersides of leaves with a magnifying lens; adult mites appear as tiny, moving specks. Once confirmed, begin a regimen of natural sprays that disrupt feeding and reproduction.
- Neem oil solution – Mix 1 teaspoon of cold‑pressed neem oil with 1 teaspoon of mild liquid soap in 1 liter of water. Apply to all leaf surfaces every 5–7 days until mites disappear. Neem’s azadirachtin interferes with mite hormone systems.
- Garlic‑onion extract – Blend 2 cups of peeled garlic and 1 cup of chopped onion with 1 liter of water. Let steep for 24 hours, strain, and add 1 teaspoon of liquid soap as an emulsifier. Spray thoroughly every 3 days. Sulfur compounds repel mites and deter feeding.
- Insecticidal soap – Dissolve 2 tablespoons of pure castile soap in 1 liter of water. Spray until runoff, focusing on leaf undersides. Soap coats and suffocates mites; repeat every 4 days.
- Pepper‑mint tea – Boil 1 cup of water with 1 teaspoon of crushed black pepper and a handful of fresh mint leaves. Cool, strain, and add ½ teaspoon of liquid soap. Apply every 5 days. Capsaicin and menthol act as repellents.
- Ethanol spray – Dilute 70 % ethanol to a 10 % solution with water, add ½ teaspoon of soap, and mist foliage lightly. Use once weekly; ethanol disrupts mite cuticle integrity.
- Milk rinse – Mix 1 part raw milk with 3 parts water, add a few drops of soap, and spray at early morning or late afternoon. Apply weekly; milk’s proteins create a hostile environment for mites.
Rotate two or three remedies to avoid mite adaptation. After each application, inspect leaves after 24 hours; excessive leaf burn indicates concentration is too high, requiring dilution. Maintain optimal humidity (50–70 %) and avoid overhead watering that creates dry leaf surfaces favored by spider mites.
Preventive measures include removing fallen debris, pruning heavily infested shoots, and providing adequate airflow. Regularly dust leaves with a soft brush to dislodge early mite colonies. Combining cultural practices with the above folk sprays yields effective control without synthetic chemicals.