How to Kill Spider Mites Indoors
Spider mites are small pests that adversely affect your plants by attaching themselves to the undersides of the leaves so that they can suck the juices out of them. Spider mites can come in a variety of types -- either red, yellow, green or the two-spotted indoor spider mite. The spider mites will eventually kill the leaves of your plants when they are exhausted of nutrients. You can kill the spider mites on your plants yourself and save the plants from a spider-mite infestation. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Platter
- Spray bottle
- Water
- Cloth or sponge
- 1-gallon container
- 2 tbsp. mild dish washing detergent
- Insecticidal soap (if preferred)
- Isopropyl rubbing alcohol (if preferred)
- Commercial insecticide (if needed)
- Neem oil (if preferred)
Instructions
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Isolate your spider mite-infected plants from any other plants that you have so that they do not get infected. Once you have moved the plants, keep them together in a cluster so they will retain their moisture better. This will eventually drive the spider mites out because they cannot thrive in moist environments for too long.
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2
Fill a platter with water and put it beneath the infected pants. This will also increase the moisture surrounding the plants. Afterward, fill a spray bottle with water and mist the pants down from top to bottom two to three times a day.
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3
Fill a 1-gallon container with water and add 2 tbsp. of mild dishwashing detergent. Mix the soap in the water thoroughly and place a cloth or sponge into the container to get it soaked. Wash the undersides of the plant leaves and rinse them off. You may also use insecticidal soap, if preferred. You may also use 1 part isopropyl rubbing alcohol to 3 parts water in a spray bottle and spray the undersides of the leaves. The rubbing alcohol will evaporate quickly, but be careful not to apply too much to the plant.
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4
Apply neem oil or a commercial insecticide to the plant according to product directions. Spray the commercial insecticide or neem oil on the undersides of the leaves to kill off any remaining spider mites.
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