What should I do about spider mite on eggplants?

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What should I do about spider mite on eggplants? - briefly
Apply a strong jet of water to dislodge mites, then treat foliage with neem oil or insecticidal soap every 5–7 days, repeating until populations disappear. Remove heavily infested leaves and maintain high humidity to discourage recurrence.

What should I do about spider mite on eggplants? - in detail
Spider mites are tiny arachnids that feed on the foliage of eggplant, causing stippling, yellowing, and webbing. Early detection prevents rapid population growth.
Identify infestations by inspecting the undersides of leaves for tiny moving specks and fine silk. A handheld magnifier or bright light improves visibility. Damage appears as a mosaic of tiny, pale spots that may coalesce into larger necrotic areas.
Control measures fall into cultural, mechanical, biological, and chemical categories.

Cultural practices

Maintain adequate spacing to improve air circulation and reduce humidity.
Water at the soil level to keep foliage dry; avoid overhead irrigation.
Apply a mulch layer to suppress weed hosts that can harbor mites.
Rotate crops with non‑solanaceous plants to interrupt the mite life cycle.

Mechanical actions

Spray plants with a strong jet of water to dislodge mites from leaf surfaces.
Prune heavily infested shoots and dispose of them away from the garden.

Biological agents

Release predatory mites such as Phytoseiulus persimilis or Neoseiulus californicus according to label instructions.
Encourage natural enemies by planting aromatic herbs (e.g., dill, cilantro) near the crop.

Organic options

Apply neem oil at 1 % concentration, covering both leaf tops and undersides; repeat every 7–10 days.
Use insecticidal soap (2–3 % fatty acid solution) with thorough coverage; reapply after rain.

Synthetic acaricides

Select products labeled for spider mite control on solanaceous vegetables.
Follow the recommended dosage and pre‑harvest interval; rotate active ingredients to avoid resistance.

Monitoring continues throughout the growing season. Sticky traps placed at canopy height capture adult mites and provide population data. Record counts weekly; if numbers exceed threshold (e.g., 5 mites per leaf), initiate the next control step.
Integrating multiple tactics—clean foliage, biological allies, and targeted sprays—keeps mite populations below damaging levels while minimizing chemical reliance. Regular scouting and prompt action constitute the most effective strategy for protecting eggplant yields.