What should you spray on a spider mite? - briefly
Use a horticultural oil or insecticidal soap to contact‑kill spider mites, applying until foliage is thoroughly coated. For persistent infestations, add a neem‑based product or a low‑toxicity pyrethrin spray, rotating chemicals to prevent resistance.
What should you spray on a spider mite? - in detail
Spider mites require rapid intervention because populations can double within days. Effective control relies on selecting a spray that targets the pest while minimizing harm to plants and beneficial insects.
Synthetic miticides
- Abamectin (0.5–1 ml L⁻¹) – contact and stomach toxin; withdraw after 7 days before harvest.
- Spiromesifen (0.5 g L⁻¹) – inhibits lipid synthesis; effective against all mobile stages.
- Bifenthrin (0.02 % EC) – pyrethroid; rapid knock‑down but resistance can develop quickly.
- Indoxacarb (0.1 % SL) – sodium channel blocker; useful for resistant populations.
Botanical and organic options
- Neem oil (1–2 % v/v) – interferes with feeding and reproduction; reapply every 5–7 days.
- Insecticidal soap (2–5 % solution) – disrupts cell membranes; requires thorough coverage of leaf undersides.
- Horticultural oil (5–10 % v/v) – smothers mites; avoid use above 30 °C to prevent phytotoxicity.
- Spinosad (0.5 % SL) – bacterial toxin; effective against larvae and adults, but avoid repeated applications to preserve predator populations.
Application practices
- Apply in early morning or late evening to reduce evaporation and protect pollinators.
- Ensure leaf surfaces are wet for at least 5 minutes; repeat after 5–7 days to cover newly hatched mites.
- Rotate chemistries with different modes of action (I, II, III, etc.) to delay resistance.
- Use a calibrated sprayer to deliver 200–300 L ha⁻¹, achieving uniform coverage without runoff.
Safety and resistance management
- Observe label intervals for pre‑harvest and re‑entry.
- Wear protective gloves and goggles when handling synthetic products.
- Integrate cultural tactics—remove infested foliage, maintain adequate humidity, and encourage predatory mites (e.g., Phytoseiulus persimilis) to sustain long‑term suppression.