How to get rid of spider mites on eggplants? - briefly
Use a vigorous water spray to knock mites off foliage, then apply insecticidal soap or neem oil every 5–7 days. Remove heavily infested leaves and maintain low humidity to prevent recurrence.
How to get rid of spider mites on eggplants? - in detail
Spider mites quickly infest eggplant foliage, causing stippled leaves, yellowing, and reduced fruit set. Early detection and prompt action prevent severe damage.
Inspect plants daily during warm, dry periods. Look for tiny moving specks on the undersides of leaves and fine webbing. Use a white sheet of paper to wipe a leaf; if many tiny red or yellow spots appear, an infestation is present.
Control measures fall into three categories: cultural, biological, and chemical.
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Cultural practices
- Keep the garden well‑watered; regular watering reduces mite reproduction.
- Mulch with organic material to maintain even soil moisture.
- Space plants 18–24 inches apart for good air circulation.
- Remove and destroy heavily infested leaves to lower the population.
- Avoid excessive fertilization with high nitrogen, which encourages rapid leaf growth favored by mites.
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Biological options
- Release predatory insects such as Phytoseiulus persimilis, Neoseiulus californicus, or Amblyseius swirskii; these predators consume large numbers of mites.
- Apply a dilute neem oil spray (1 % v/v) early in the morning or late afternoon; neem disrupts mite feeding and reproduction while being safe for most beneficial insects.
- Use a horticultural oil (e.g., neem or mineral oil) at 2 % concentration; coat leaf surfaces thoroughly to suffocate mites and their eggs.
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Chemical interventions
- For severe outbreaks, apply a synthetic acaricide labeled for eggplant, following label rates and pre‑harvest intervals precisely.
- Rotate products with different modes of action (e.g., pyrethroids, organophosphates, spirodiclofen) to avoid resistance buildup.
- Apply the first spray when the mite population reaches the economic threshold (approximately 5 mites per leaf); repeat at 7‑day intervals if needed, ending treatment before fruit ripens.
After each intervention, re‑inspect plants after 48 hours. Maintain a monitoring schedule of at least once per week throughout the growing season. Record mite counts to gauge the effectiveness of chosen tactics and adjust the management plan accordingly.