How to get rid of house mites on plants? - briefly
Treat the infestation by thoroughly cleaning the plant’s foliage with a strong spray of water, then apply an insecticidal soap or neem‑oil solution according to label directions, repeating every 5–7 days until mites disappear; remove heavily damaged leaves and keep the growing area dry and well‑ventilated to prevent recurrence.
How to get rid of house mites on plants? - in detail
Indoor plant mites thrive in warm, humid environments and feed on foliage, causing stippling, yellowing, and leaf drop. Early detection relies on inspecting undersides of leaves with a magnifying lens; clusters of tiny moving dots indicate infestation.
Control measures fall into three categories: cultural, biological, and chemical.
-
Cultural practices
-
Biological agents
- Introduce predatory mites such as Phytoseiulus persimilis or Neoseiulus californicus; apply according to label rates.
- Use entomopathogenic fungi like Beauveria bassiana as a foliar spray; repeat applications every 7‑10 days until populations decline.
-
Chemical options
- Apply horticultural oil (e.g., neem or mineral oil) at 1‑2 % concentration; cover both top and bottom leaf surfaces, repeat after 7 days.
- Use miticides containing abamectin or spirodiclofen for severe outbreaks; follow safety guidelines and rotate products to prevent resistance.
Preventive steps maintain a hostile environment for mites:
- Keep ambient temperature between 65‑75 °F (18‑24 °C) and relative humidity below 60 %.
- Quarantine new plants for at least two weeks, inspecting and treating any signs of pests before integration.
- Regularly dust leaves with a soft brush or cloth to eliminate eggs and early-stage mites.
By combining vigilant monitoring, environmental adjustments, and targeted treatments, infestations can be suppressed rapidly and long‑term plant health preserved.