How to get rid of spider mites in a greenhouse using folk remedies? - briefly
Apply a diluted neem‑oil or insecticidal‑soap spray, optionally enriched with a garlic‑chili infusion, to all plant surfaces and the soil, and prune heavily infested foliage while maintaining greenhouse humidity above 60 % to interrupt mite reproduction. Rotate the treatments weekly and use sticky traps to monitor the population and keep it below damaging levels.
How to get rid of spider mites in a greenhouse using folk remedies? - in detail
Spider mites thrive in warm, humid greenhouse environments and can quickly defoliate crops. Traditional, low‑cost approaches rely on natural predators, botanical extracts, and physical interventions that avoid synthetic chemicals.
The first line of defense is cultural control. Keep humidity above 60 % and reduce temperature fluctuations; mites prefer dry, hot air. Water plants thoroughly in the early morning, allowing leaves to dry before nightfall. Remove heavily infested foliage and dispose of it away from the greenhouse to interrupt the life cycle.
Botanical sprays are effective when applied consistently. Prepare the following solutions:
- Neem oil – mix 1 ml of cold‑pressed neem oil with 1 ml of mild liquid soap per litre of water. Spray until runoff, covering leaf undersides. Repeat every 5–7 days until populations drop.
- Garlic‑pepper decoction – blend 5 g garlic cloves, 2 g hot pepper, and 500 ml water; simmer 15 minutes, cool, strain, add 1 ml liquid soap, and dilute to 5 litres. Apply every 3 days.
- Sulfur dust – sprinkle finely ground elemental sulfur on leaves in dry conditions; reapply after rain or irrigation. Sulfur disrupts mite respiration without harming most crops.
- Insecticidal soap – combine 5 ml pure castile soap with 1 litre water; spray thoroughly, focusing on the leaf underside. Use at 2‑day intervals during outbreaks.
Biological augmentation complements botanical sprays. Introduce predatory mites such as Phytoseiulus persimilis or Neoseiulus californicus at a rate of 10–15 adults per square metre. Release them after the first spray to ensure a food source; they will suppress mite colonies within weeks.
Physical barriers reduce reinfestation. Install fine mesh (≤0.5 mm) on ventilation openings and use sticky traps coated with a light‑oil adhesive to monitor adult movement. Replace traps weekly and record capture numbers to gauge control efficacy.
Sanitation remains essential. Disinfect benches, pots, and tools with a 10 % solution of hydrogen peroxide or a diluted bleach rinse (1 ml bleach per litre water) after each harvest. Rotate crops whenever possible; non‑host plants interrupt mite colonization.
Finally, maintain a regular scouting schedule. Examine the underside of leaves for stippling, webbing, or moving specks. A threshold of 5 mites per leaf warrants immediate treatment; below that level, continue cultural practices and predatory mite releases.
By integrating humidity management, repeated botanical applications, predatory mite introductions, physical exclusion, and rigorous hygiene, growers can eradicate spider mite infestations without resorting to synthetic pesticides.