How to Get Rid of Mites in Houseplants
Mites, or red spider mites as they are usually called, are a very common houseplant pest. These minuscule insects can barely be seen by the naked eye, but the effect they have on a plant is very noticeable. Spider mites feed on a plant's sap, literally sucking the life out of it. If you notice a tiny, wispy white web anywhere on your houseplant, chances are you have spider mites. Take action immediately to get rid of these pests and save the life of your plant. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Make sure that it really is spider mites that are affecting your plant, and not a lack of water or sunlight. If you see your plant's leaves turning yellow and shriveling up (along with the telltale white webbing), and your plant has deformed flower buds that won't open, chances are you do have mites.
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Remove your infected houseplant away from any other plants. Take it outside and prune away any dead or heavily infested areas of the plant.
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Set your plant down on a driveway or patio and aim a strong stream of water at it. Use a pressure sprayer or hose. Be sure to get under the leaves, where spider mites hide, and don't worry if you wash away the top layer of the soil, as spider mites like to hide there too.
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Cover your plant with an insecticidal soap. Put the soap in a spray bottle and spray the plant until it is saturated, making sure you get under the leaves. This will kill any mites not knocked off the plant by the initial powerful spray of water.
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Let the soap sit on the plant for 2 or 3 minutes, then rinse off the plant with more water before the soap dries. Bring the plant back inside, and mist it once a week with a fine spray of warm water. Spider mites thrive in dry environments and do not like humidity, so this will prevent them from returning.
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