How to Get Rid of Spider Mites With Home Remedies
Spider mites, otherwise known as webspinning mites, are the most common mite pest. They attack a variety of plants in landscapes and gardens, including vines, vegetables, fruit trees, berries and ornamentals, according to the University of California's Integrated Pest Management program. Mites are not insects; they are tiny members of the arachnid family at less than 1/20th of an inch long. They live in colonies on the undersides of leaves and spin small, silky webs. Most of their damage is the result of sucking out the leaves' cell contents, and water-stressed plants are more likely to suffer severe damage. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Water hose
- Spray bottle
- Petroleum-based horticultural oil or neem oil-based insecticide
- Canola oil
- Ivory dish soap
- Hot pepper sauce or cayenne pepper
- Predatory insects
Instructions
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Use Water
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Spray garden walkways and other areas with water, particularly if they are dusty. Mites thrive in hot, dusty conditions.
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Forcefully spray plants with plain water, paying special attention the undersides of leaves where most of the mites live. This will kill or knock off a substantial portion of the mites. Regular sprayings are suitable for population control, according to UC's IPM.
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Water the plants if they need it. Water-stressed plants are more likely to suffer severe damage from spider mites. Unhealthy plants, in turn, are also more likely to attract other problems, like fungal disease and other damaging insects.
Apply Insecticidal Soaps or Oils and Introduce Predatory Insects
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Choose a neem oil-based or petroleum-based horticultural oil indicated for use against spider mites. Check product labels for light sensitivity and phytotoxic warnings; some of these products are damaging to certain plants or they may damage plants when they are applied during the day.
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Follow package instructions to apply the insecticidal soap or oil. Do not apply these solutions to water-stressed plants when temperatures reach 90 degrees Fahrenheit or above, advises UC's IPM. Be sure to cover the plant thoroughly, as the mites must come in direct contact these products to die. Pay special attention to the undersides of leaves.
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Make a homemade insecticidal soap as an alternative by mixing 1 tbsp. of canola oil with a few drops of Ivory soap and 1 qt. of water. Shake this solution well before applying to plants in a spray bottle. Another recipe is mixing 2 tbsp. of hot pepper sauce or cayenne pepper with a few drops of Ivory soap and 1 qt. water. While employed by home gardeners and recommended by Earth Easy, these sprays have not been scientifically tested for efficacy.
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Introduce predatory insects once the spider mite population is under control. UC's IPM states these insects are more effective once a severe spider mite infestation has been tamped down. Western predatory mites are among the most effective and they thrive in the same hot, dry conditions as spider mites. Minute pirate bugs, sixspotted thrips, spider mite destroyer lady beetles, lacewings, cecidomyids and bigeyed bugs are other options.
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Regularly spray plants and garden pathways with water to avoid dry, dusty conditions. Regularly apply insecticidal oils and soaps, as needed, according to package instructions and keep plants healthy to minimize any damage.
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Tips & Warnings
Commercial insecticidal oils and soaps are available at most gardening stores to kill spider mites. Make sure they are indicated for use against spider mites. Using the wrong insecticides can actually make the problem worse. Broad-spectrum insecticides often kill off spider mites' natural predators and some -- like those with carbaryl -- increase spider mite populations. Pyrethroids and some organophosphates increase nitrogen production, which favors spider mites.
Keep all insecticidal products away from pets and children.
References
- Photo Credit Michael Blann/Digital Vision/Getty Images
