How to get rid of spider mite with garlic? - briefly
Blend several garlic cloves with water, strain the mixture, add a few drops of mild dish soap, and spray the solution thoroughly on affected foliage, especially the leaf undersides. Repeat the treatment every 5–7 days until the mites are eliminated.
How to get rid of spider mite with garlic? - in detail
Garlic extracts are effective against spider mites because the sulfur compounds they contain act as contact insecticides and repellents. To use garlic for control, follow these steps:
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Prepare a solution by crushing 4–6 cloves of fresh garlic and mixing them with 1 liter of warm water. Add a teaspoon of mild liquid soap to act as an emulsifier, then let the mixture steep for 12–24 hours. Strain out solid particles.
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Transfer the filtered liquid to a spray bottle. Apply the spray to the undersides of leaves where mites congregate, ensuring thorough coverage. Spray in the early morning or late afternoon to reduce leaf burn.
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Repeat applications every 5–7 days until mite populations drop below economic thresholds. For severe infestations, increase frequency to every 3 days for two weeks, then revert to the standard interval.
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Combine the garlic spray with cultural practices: keep plants well‑watered, remove heavily infested foliage, and maintain proper air circulation to discourage mite reproduction.
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Monitor plants regularly. If leaf damage persists, supplement garlic treatment with horticultural oil or neem oil, but avoid mixing chemicals in a single spray to prevent phytotoxicity.
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Store any unused garlic solution in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to one week. Discard any solution that develops mold or an off odor.
Using the described garlic preparation provides a low‑toxicity, biodegradable method for managing spider mite outbreaks while minimizing impact on beneficial insects.