What should be done about spider mites on houseplants? - briefly
Remove heavily infested leaves, wash the plant thoroughly with a strong jet of water, and apply insecticidal soap or neem oil every 5–7 days until mites are gone. Isolate the plant and keep humidity high to prevent recurrence.
What should be done about spider mites on houseplants? - in detail
Spider mites are tiny arachnids that feed on plant sap, causing stippled leaves, yellowing, and webbing. Early detection relies on inspecting the undersides of foliage with a magnifying glass; moving colonies appear as tiny moving dots, while established infestations leave fine silk threads.
Effective control combines cultural, mechanical, biological, and chemical measures.
- Remove heavily infested leaves and dispose of them away from other plants.
- Increase ambient humidity to 60 % or higher; mites thrive in dry air, so regular misting or a pebble tray reduces reproduction.
- Adjust watering to keep the soil evenly moist but not waterlogged; stressed plants attract pests.
- Provide adequate airflow by spacing plants and using a fan; air movement disrupts mite colonization.
- Apply a strong jet of water to the leaf surface at least once a week; the force dislodges mites and their eggs.
- Introduce predatory insects such as Phytoseiulus persimilis or Neoseiulus californicus; these natural enemies consume large numbers of mites and establish quickly when conditions are favorable.
- Use horticultural oil (e.g., neem or mineral oil) at the label‑recommended concentration; thorough coverage of leaf undersides suffocates mites and prevents egg hatch.
- For severe outbreaks, apply a miticide containing abamectin or spirotetramat, rotating with a different mode of action to avoid resistance.
Monitoring continues after treatment. Inspect plants every 3–5 days for new signs, and repeat the water jet or oil application for at least two weeks. Record observations to adjust cultural conditions and prevent recurrence.
By integrating sanitation, humidity management, biological agents, and targeted sprays, growers can suppress spider mite populations while minimizing damage to indoor foliage.