How to kill spider mites on plants? - briefly
Apply a vigorous water spray, insecticidal soap, or neem oil to the foliage and repeat the treatment every few days until the mites are gone. For heavy infestations, use a labeled miticide such as abamectin, following the product instructions precisely.
How to kill spider mites on plants? - in detail
Spider mites thrive in hot, dry conditions and can quickly defoliate foliage. Effective management requires a combination of preventative measures and targeted interventions.
Maintain plant health by watering consistently, providing adequate humidity, and avoiding excessive nitrogen fertilization, which encourages rapid mite reproduction. Remove heavily infested leaves and dispose of them away from the growing area.
Physical controls include:
- Spraying foliage with a strong jet of water to dislodge mites and their webs.
- Covering plants with fine mesh or row covers to exclude adult females.
- Introducing sticky traps to monitor and capture moving stages.
Biological agents offer sustainable suppression:
- Predatory mites (e.g., Phytoseiulus persimilis, Neoseiulus californicus) consume all life stages of the pest.
- Insecticidal soaps and neem oil, applied at 2‑3 day intervals, penetrate mite bodies and disrupt respiration.
- Entomopathogenic fungi such as Beauveria bassiana infect and kill mites under suitable humidity.
Chemical options, reserved for severe outbreaks, should be selected based on resistance management guidelines:
- Acaricides containing abamectin, bifenthrin, or spiromesifen provide rapid knock‑down.
- Rotate products with different modes of action to prevent resistance buildup.
Application tips:
- Treat the undersides of leaves where mites reside; ensure thorough coverage.
- Apply treatments in the early morning or late evening to reduce photodegradation.
- Re‑apply according to label‑specified intervals, typically every 7–10 days, until populations fall below economic thresholds.
Regular scouting, combined with the above integrated tactics, keeps spider mite populations under control and protects plant vigor.