How to detect spider mites on indoor plants? - briefly
Inspect leaves for fine webbing, tiny moving specks, or stippled discoloration; these signs often indicate an infestation. Use a magnifying lens to verify the presence of oval, reddish‑brown mites and their eggs on the leaf undersides.
How to detect spider mites on indoor plants? - in detail
Detecting spider mites on houseplants requires systematic visual inspection and, when necessary, auxiliary tools. Early identification prevents rapid population growth and extensive foliage damage.
Examine the upper and lower leaf surfaces at least once a week. Look for the following indicators:
- Fine, pale stippling or yellow specks on the leaf blade, caused by feeding punctures.
- Tiny moving specks, often 0.2–0.5 mm, that appear as dust‑like particles.
- Fine silk strands forming a webbing network, especially along leaf veins and at leaf margins.
- Stressed foliage that curls, wilts, or becomes bronzed in color.
Use a 10× hand lens or a low‑power microscope to confirm the presence of mites. Under magnification, adult spider mites display a flattened, oval body with eight legs, while eggs appear as oval, translucent capsules attached to leaf undersides.
Employ sticky traps to monitor activity. Place yellow adhesive cards near the plant base; a sudden increase in trapped specimens signals an escalating infestation. For larger collections, a beat test helps: gently tap a leaf over a white sheet of paper; dislodged mites will become visible as small specks moving across the surface.
Inspect new growth and the soil surface. Young shoots are especially vulnerable; any webbing or stippling on emerging leaves warrants immediate treatment. Soil-dwelling stages are rare but can be detected by shaking the pot over a tray and inspecting the residue.
Maintain a record of observations, noting date, plant species, and specific symptoms. Correlating environmental factors—low humidity, high temperatures, and inadequate air circulation—with symptom onset assists in adjusting cultural conditions to reduce mite proliferation.
By combining regular, detailed visual checks with magnification, sticky traps, and beat tests, growers can reliably detect spider mite presence before populations reach damaging levels.