What should be done for spider mites on impatiens? - briefly
Apply a miticide such as neem oil or horticultural oil and raise humidity around the plants; both actions suppress spider mite populations. Remove heavily infested leaves and regularly rinse foliage with a strong water spray to dislodge remaining mites.
What should be done for spider mites on impatiens? - in detail
Spider mites rapidly colonize impatiens when foliage is dry and temperatures exceed 75 °F. Infestations appear as stippled leaves, fine webbing, and a gradual yellowing that can lead to plant death if unchecked.
Effective management combines preventive cultural practices with targeted interventions:
- Environmental adjustment – increase humidity by misting or placing a tray of water nearby; avoid overhead watering that leaves foliage wet for extended periods; provide adequate air circulation to reduce leaf temperature.
- Sanitation – remove and destroy heavily infested leaves or whole plants; clean garden tools and pots with a 10 % bleach solution to eliminate residual mites.
- Mechanical removal – spray plants with a strong jet of water to dislodge mites and webs; repeat every 3–4 days during peak activity.
- Biological control – introduce predatory insects such as Phytoseiulus persimilis, Neoseiulus californicus, or lady beetle larvae; release rates of 1–2 predators per square foot maintain long‑term suppression.
- Organic acaricides – apply neem oil (5 % concentration) or insecticidal soap (2–3 % fatty acid solution) to foliage, covering both upper and lower surfaces; reapply at 7‑day intervals until populations decline.
- Synthetic options – when infestations exceed economic thresholds, use miticides labeled for impatiens, such as abamectin or bifenthrin; follow label rates precisely and rotate products with different modes of action to prevent resistance.
After each treatment, inspect leaves under a magnifying lens. A population density of fewer than three mites per leaf segment indicates successful control. Maintain the cultural measures continuously to deter re‑infestation.