How to spray a houseplant for spider mites? - briefly
Use a dilute insecticidal soap or neem oil mixture (1 teaspoon per quart of water) and apply it thoroughly to the foliage, covering both upper and lower surfaces until runoff. Repeat the treatment every 5–7 days until mites disappear, reducing frequency once the infestation is cleared.
How to spray a houseplant for spider mites? - in detail
Treating indoor foliage for spider‑mite infestations requires a systematic approach to ensure complete eradication while preserving plant health.
First, confirm the presence of mites by inspecting leaves for fine webbing, stippled discoloration, and tiny moving specks. Examine the undersides of leaves, where populations concentrate.
Second, select an appropriate spray solution. Options include:
- A mixture of water and a few drops of horticultural oil (e.g., neem or mineral oil) at a concentration of 1 % v/v.
- An aqueous solution of insecticidal soap, prepared according to label instructions, typically 2–5 % w/v.
- A diluted solution of pyrethrin, applied no more than every five days to avoid phytotoxicity.
Third, prepare the spray equipment. Use a clean, fine‑mist sprayer; ensure no residue from previous chemicals remains. Fill the reservoir with the chosen solution, adding a few drops of mild surfactant (e.g., liquid dish soap) to improve leaf coverage.
Fourth, apply the spray. Follow these steps:
- Water the plant lightly a day before treatment to reduce stress.
- Cover the soil surface with a plastic sheet to prevent runoff.
- Mist both the upper and lower leaf surfaces until droplets run off, paying special attention to petioles and leaf axils.
- Repeat the application every 3–5 days for a total of three to five treatments, monitoring mite activity after each cycle.
Fifth, after the final spray, remove the protective sheet and allow the plant to dry in a well‑ventilated area. Inspect leaves for residual webbing; a gentle wipe with a damp cloth can remove remaining threads.
Finally, implement preventive measures to reduce recurrence:
- Maintain humidity levels above 50 % by misting or using a humidifier.
- Avoid excessive nitrogen fertilization, which creates tender growth favored by mites.
- Quarantine new plants for at least two weeks before introducing them to existing collections.
By adhering to this protocol, indoor plants can be effectively cleared of spider mites with minimal risk to foliage and overall plant vigor.