Remedies for aphids and spider mites and more. Do it yourself

To make the fight against the cobweb as effective as possible, you need to know which type of tick has struck the houseplant. The following types of these pests are found in nature:

Red spider mite (Tetranychus cinnabarinus). The red cobweb most commonly affects indoor plants. Calla lilies, balsams, lemons, cineraria, roses, nightshades, orchids primarily suffer from it. The color of the body of this pest varies from dark brown to bright red. The size of females reaches 0.5 mm, males - 0.3 mm. You can see them with the naked eye if you take a good look at the bottom of the sheet. The red spider mite does not tolerate high humidity and low temperatures, but it multiplies well in dry and warm conditions. The reproduction rate is not as impressive as that of the common spider mite, but it is still enough to hit a large surface of the plant in a couple of weeks.
Red spider mite - a pest of indoor plants

Common spider mite (Tetranychus urticae). This is the most polyphagous species - it feeds on almost any plants and is sometimes found on potted plants, but prefers fruit crops and berries. He has a special "love" for apple trees, currants and blackberries. The greatest increase in the number of this animal is achieved in July-August. Ordinary spider webs reach 0.3–0.6 mm in length - they are distinguishable to the human eye. The color of the body changes depending on the stage of maturity - young larvae have a body of green or yellow tint, older individuals - brown and red. The common spider mite multiplies rapidly - in less than a month it can lay up to hundreds of eggs, from which larvae hatch within a week.
The common spider mite is the most common type of spider web that affects fruit crops

False spider mite (phalaenopsis mite). It is much smaller than the spider web, it is almost impossible to see it with the naked eye. The main difference between a false mite and a true one is the absence of a cobweb. Its presence on the plant can only be noticed by the tiny, almost indistinguishable bodies running along the leaves. It is extremely important to be able to distinguish the cobweb from the false mite, since conditions that are detrimental to the first cause the second to multiply rapidly. So, the spider mite quickly dies in high humidity and cool conditions, while the false cobweb feels very comfortable in such conditions.

Three more types of ticks - Atlantic, hawthorn and date - affect only fruit crops. For example, the Atlantic prefers cotton, clover, alfalfa, strawberries, apple trees, pears. Hawthorn (which is most often found in Germany and Austria) loves to breed on apple trees, plums, apricots. Date, however, is practically not found in Russia because of the preferred climate - it is more comfortable in hot and dry countries such as Iran, Saudi Arabia and Egypt.

Signs of plant damage

How to reliably determine that a houseplant has been attacked by a spider mite? The symptoms that give out the pest are quite varied:

Small eggs can be seen on the underside of the leaf. Eggs laid by spider mites are very small, but due to their large number, their presence can be determined even with the naked eye.
Depending on the type of mite, the color of the eggs can vary from white to grayish

The most important and most unambiguous sign is the appearance of a thin cobweb on the underside of the leaf or between the leaf and shoots. The cobweb is not durable and can be easily erased from the sheet, even with bare hands. Ticks can move along the surface of the cobweb, which can be seen with the naked eye.

A thin cobweb on a plant is the main sign of the presence of a cobweb

Yellowing of the leaves. This is a later sign, which indicates that the plant has been attacked by spider mites for more than a week.

Falling and dryness of leaves. Dead leaves and shoots, dried by a tick, soon curl up and fall off.
Leaves attacked by a spider web dry quickly and lose color

Spider mite control

The peculiarity of this pest is, unfortunately, in its survivability. It reproduces rapidly and lays a huge number of eggs in a short period. Because of this, unfortunately, it will not work to get rid of the spider mite in one or two procedures. It is necessary to apply comprehensive measures in order to destroy both adults and larvae and laid eggs.

Spider mites die at different stages of their life cycle from different conditions and drugs

Chemicals

Pest control chemicals are most effective but can be toxic. When using them, it is important to strictly observe safety precautions:

isolate treated plants from animals and children;

use drugs in a protective mask and gloves;

ventilate thoroughly or use outdoors.

Please note - ticks are not insects. A spider mite is an arachnid, so insecticides (chemicals used to eliminate insect pests) will not work on it. It is necessary to choose from acaricide products:

"Actellik" is an insect-acaricide. This drug is effective against both insects and mites. Actellic is extremely toxic, so indoor use is not recommended. If you need to apply it to a houseplant, it is best to take the pot outside or on a well-ventilated balcony while processing. "Actellik" is a very powerful and effective remedy, therefore it is excellent for mass infection of plants. Unfortunately, it does not kill eggs, so additional treatment with another acaricide is necessary after it. Unlike other means, it can cope not only with the most common ticks (red and common), but also with more exotic species that are rarely found in Russia (date, Atlantic, hawthorn).

"Actellik" is a highly effective, but very toxic drug

Fitoverm is an acaricidal agent. It is less toxic than Actellik, so its use is permissible in enclosed spaces as well. However, for children and animals, it still poses a rather high risk, therefore, the treated plants must be placed in a place inaccessible to small households. This product can be used without protective gloves and a mask, but at the end of the work, be sure to thoroughly rinse your face, mouth and hands. Fitoverm also does not destroy spider mite eggs, only adults and larvae.
Fitoverm is an effective and low-toxic acaricide

"Neoron" is an effective acaricide that destroys not only adults, but also tick eggs. It is toxic, so you need to remember about safety measures and ventilate the room well after using it. Despite the fact that it quickly destroys the pest population, one application of the product is not enough - at least three treatments of the plant must be carried out. It is best to carry them out at intervals of 3-5 days - this time is not enough for the larvae to hatch from the eggs and produce a new generation.
"Neoron" is a powerful acaricide capable of removing the entire population from a plant

"Sunmight" - like "Neoron", an effective remedy for the destruction of both adult ticks and larvae with eggs. This drug can be used only once every six months, otherwise the pests may develop immunity. "Sunmight" is used by dissolving at the rate of 1 g of acaricide per 1 liter of water. The plant is thoroughly sprayed, it is especially important to treat the underside of the leaf - the drug works only in direct contact with the larva or adult.

"Sunmight" - acaricide with ovicidal action

Biological method

This method was developed by G. A. Beglyarov, Candidate of Biological Sciences. Its essence is simple - to feed the spider mite to a predator that feeds on them in their natural environment (acariphagus). Today garden shops offer sachets (small bags) that contain the tick's natural enemies, phytoseiulus or amblyseius. The method of struggle in this case is as follows: the bag is suspended from one of the branches of the affected plant and opened. The predators immediately go in search of food. In one day, each of the acariphages eats several adult ticks and several dozen eggs. Within a week, the colony of spider mites is devastated, and the predator itself dies in a few days from hunger.

Phytoseiulus is an acariphage that feeds on spider mites

This method is recognized by scientists and gardeners as extremely effective, but it is not suitable for use on plants with heavily pubescent leaves (for example, on violets).

Folk remedies

If the plant has just been attacked by pests, and their population is not yet large enough, you can use sparing folk remedies:

Rubbing alcohol. A cotton pad or a small sponge should be moistened with an alcohol solution (1:10) and thoroughly wiped off all the leaves of the plant. Unfortunately, this method does not destroy the eggs of ticks, but it copes well with adults. If the spider mite has not yet managed to leave its future offspring on the leaves of the plant, then such treatment will be enough to get rid of the pest. Look at the underside of the leaf - if you do not find small whitish fixed points, then the pest has not yet laid eggs. Please note that this method is not suitable for plants with thin and sensitive leaves (rose, fuchsia, petunia), but is well tolerated by the denser ones (ficus, dieffenbachia, phalaenopsis). Rubbing alcohol is a universal remedy that will help not only disinfect wounds, but also get rid of indoor plant pests

Tobacco smoke. This method is certainly not the safest for humans, but if you or someone in your household smokes, you can use this bad habit to eliminate spider mites. The smoker must release smoke onto the plant. Tobacco smoke is extremely destructive for adult spider mites, but it will not get rid of eggs and larvae.
Tobacco smoke contains many toxins and combustion products that are harmful to spider mites.

Laundry soap. This method is ideal for plants with large leaves: violets, dieffenbachia, orchids, some types of ficuses. Laundry soap must be whipped into a lather and smeared with the leaves of the affected plant. This agent does not kill the tick directly, but creates a dense film through which the pest cannot breathe and feed. After treatment, the plant is left with foam on the leaves for 3-5 hours, then the product is washed off with a warm shower with low pressure. Without letting the plant dry, you need to cover it with a plastic bag or any other "cap" that will prevent moisture from quickly evaporating. The combination of a foam film and high humidity is detrimental to an adult spider mite, but eggs can survive this impact - additional treatment with a chemical acaricide is required.
Laundry soap is one of the most affordable ways to deal with spider mites.

Garlic. One large head of garlic must be finely chopped and filled with three liters of water. The mixture is infused for five days, after which the leaves of the affected plant are filtered and sprayed. This method can only show its effectiveness at an early stage of the lesion, when the spider mite colony is still very small.
Garlic is very useful not only for humans, but also for plants affected by spider mites.

Spreading the pest to other plants

The spider mite, unfortunately, spreads very quickly to neighboring plants, since it has not only the ability to reproduce quickly, but also the ability to overcome relatively large (for a tiny pest) distances. To prevent massive infestation of your green pets with a tick, the following precautions should be taken:

the plant on which you found the tick must be urgently isolated from other potted plants;

all plants that were in the same room with the affected one must be checked for signs: cobwebs, eggs, ticks themselves;

if several plants are affected, they must also be kept in isolation from each other until they are fully recovered.

Spider mite prevention

Spider mites can enter your home in two main ways: with a new plant or through a window. To significantly reduce the risk of a tick entering the house, it is necessary to keep any new plant bought in a store (even a checked one) separately for the first time until the absence of diseases and pests is confirmed.

Plants in a flower shop are often susceptible to attacks by various pests, so right after purchase it is important to cure a new pet before placing it next to the rest.

A pest can enter a window along with a stream of wind, especially in hot and dry weather. Of course, we cannot keep the windows permanently closed (stale air is no less destructive for plants than a spider mite), so we need to create the most uncomfortable conditions for the mite in the house itself:

Spider mites do not tolerate high humidity. Use a humidifier and damp mop regularly. If your plants are not desert and dry lovers, spray them regularly. The mite, as a rule, lives on the underside of the leaf, so it is this that you need to pay attention to when spraying.

Wash plant leaves with soapy water once a week. This puts the mite to suck the juice out of them, and therefore the pest will quickly die of hunger.

Water-loving plants can be washed 1-2 times a week under a warm shower. Ficuses and ivy are especially well tolerated. Ticks that may be on their leaves will die from streams of warm water.

What to do with succulents? These indoor pets do not tolerate spraying, moisture on leaves and high humidity in general - how to protect them from spider mites? Fortunately, this pest does not threaten succulents. The fact is that succulents have fleshy leaves with a dense shell, which the tick simply cannot bite through.

Succulents are beautiful and unpretentious indoor plants, which, in addition, are not threatened by spider mites.

Is spider mite dangerous for humans

Spider mite refers to phytophages - that is, animals that feed on plants. For humans (including small children), as well as for animals and birds, it is completely harmless. Spider mites cannot bite through human skin.

The spider mite is one of the most vicious enemies of indoor plants. Fortunately, with simple, inexpensive remedies, you can effectively combat it while protecting your flowers from this pest.

The spider mite belongs to the class of arachnids. This must be taken into account when choosing a pest control agent, preparations for the destruction of insects do not work on it.

It lives for about a month, the female can lay unfertilized eggs, from which new female ticks hatch within 3 - 5 days, capable of laying eggs on their own in a week (up to hundreds of eggs). In a short time, the population can increase hundreds of times. The spider mite hibernates in the ground or in the crevices of greenhouses and greenhouses; eggs, in anticipation of favorable conditions, do not lose their viability for several years.

Only when it is born, the spider mite larva digs into the leaf of a suitable plant from the bottom side, and begins to suck out the juice. The spider mite's "menu" includes about 200 varieties of plants. The appearance of the pest can be detected by noticing the yellow dots and spots on the surface of the leaves. Looking at the underside of the leaf, you can see a thin web and small greenish or red creatures - this is a spider mite. With a large number of pests, plant leaves dry out quickly, growth slows down and is inhibited. In addition, spider mites can carry infections that are dangerous to plants (gray rot, viruses). If urgent measures are not taken, you can lose the entire plantation, the tick spreads very quickly.

Ticks are especially rampant in greenhouses. In the greenhouse, with its elevated air temperature and many places where you can comfortably spend the winter, the tick feels great. Therefore, in addition to the usual means for the destruction of the pest, autumn washing and disinfection of the greenhouse is mandatory.

Spider mite control drugs

Cucumbers, eggplants, tomatoes, peppers, and beans are especially often affected by spider mites. It does considerable damage to flowers, especially asters and roses. Apple trees, cherries, pears, mulberries, currants, strawberries and gooseberries also suffer from the pest.

When choosing a drug to fight a tick, you need to remember that it does not belong to insects, and there is no point in using insecticides.

Acaricides are used against spider mites: Omite, Flumayt, Demitan, Apollo, Bitoxibacillin (10 g per 1 liter of water), Borneo. Insectoacaricides will also be effective: Fufanon, Oberon, Aktofit, Kleschevit, Fitoverm (1 ml per 1 l of water), Karate, Agravertin, Akarin (2 ml per 1 l of water), Vertimek.

The preparations are diluted in strict accordance with the attached instructions.

Important! Treatment with chemicals is carried out, observing all precautions: when spraying on foliage, you must wear a respirator, goggles and gloves. After finishing work, send work clothes to wash, wash face and hands with soap. It is forbidden to smoke or eat while working!

Due to the short development cycle of the tick and the ineffectiveness of the drug on the eggs of the pest, several plant treatments are carried out. Usually, 3 - 5 sprays are enough, with an interval of 4 - 7 days. The higher the air temperature, the shorter the interval between sprays.

The tick has the ability to get used to and adapt to toxic substances, so the drugs need to be changed regularly. You need to focus on changing the active substance, carefully reading the composition of the drug on the package.

The disadvantage of using chemicals can be considered their toxicity in relation to pets and people.

Some substances (based on phosphorus) are prohibited for use in confined spaces. Many products cannot be sprayed on fruiting plants. The use of such powerful agents is justified in case of severe damage to plants and a large planting area.

Folk ways of fighting

Spider mites cannot stand high humidity. With a small number of pests and for the prevention of its appearance, it is useful to wash the plants with a stream of cool water. In greenhouses, barrels and buckets of water are placed to increase air humidity (at 80% - 85% humidity, the mite dies). These measures are quite effective, provided that high humidity is not harmful to the plants. This method works well for cucumbers. To increase the humidity in the open field, in addition to the shower, the bushes can be wrapped in pieces of film or wide containers of water can be placed under them.

Timely (preferably daily) collection of affected foliage and its burning prevents the spread of the pest.

Open jars of turpentine or ammonia can be placed in the greenhouse. The fumes from these substances will poison the tick. Less caustic, but also a good remedy - chopped garlic and onions into gruel.

Sowing calendula among vegetables will help scare off the pest from the beds.

An effective biological method of combating spider mites can be applied in a greenhouse - to launch a colony of predators that feed on it. These are predatory mites Ambliseius and Fitoseilus. They are not dangerous to plants and will die when they deal with the pest. You can buy them in large garden nurseries.

Washing the foliage with soapy water will help get rid of the pest. To prepare it, take a simple laundry or tar soap, you can buy a special green one in a garden store. The soap is dissolved in a bucket of water and the affected plant is rinsed abundantly.

Important! The soapy solution dries up and forms a film on the leaves, which prevents the plant from breathing. Therefore, a couple of days after treatment with soap, the bush must be washed with plain water.

It is not difficult to prepare an infusion of onion and garlic for spraying the affected plants. Chop 200 g of garlic or onion and infuse in a liter of water.

A few hours are enough for onions. The garlic is infused for a day, then the solution is diluted with water 3-4 times. The resulting mixture copes well with spider mites, with a small number of them.

Herbal infusions for spraying plants against mites:

• dandelion infusion - 0.5 kg of greens insist for several hours in a bucket of water;
• calendula - 100 g of chopped grass per 1 liter of water, infused for 4 - 5 days;
• celandine - a teaspoon of herbs, pour a glass of boiling water and cool;
• yarrow - brew 100 g of dry raw materials with a liter of boiling water, dilute with 5 liters of water.

Preventive measures

1. Plants should be inspected regularly to spot the pest as early as possible and take action.
2. Autumn digging of soil and filling the soil with phosphorus fertilizers will help to destroy the pest hiding in the ground.
3. Greenhouses and hotbeds are washed in autumn, the topsoil is changed, fumigated with a sulfur stick, and the frame is whitewashed with lime.

Spider mite on indoor plants - photo:

Numerous light spots, and if the colony is large, then the plant is covered with a thin, barely noticeable cobweb(hence the name of the mite) and very soon begins to dry.

They can be difficult to find due to too small size and color, which helps to merge with the foliage (mites are brownish, greenish and yellowish). Females remaining for the winter are red in color.

Tick ​​females live less than a month, but during this period they are able to lay hundreds of eggs. New individuals appear in clutch in three days. The biggest problem is that eggs remain alive for up to 5 years.

They are waiting in the wings on the bark, in the axils of the plant, in the ground and even in window frames, on window sills and in the chips of flower pots. That is why the fight against them can be long.

Often spider mites bring from the store therefore, the new plant must be quarantined for at least two weeks.

Tick ​​species

Cobweb on flowers: what to do? To understand how to remove spider mites from indoor flowers, you need to know that they there are several types:

Houseplants attack other types of Putin mites: pacific, strawberry, red(flat).

All ticks are capable of adapt to the most unfavorable conditions, slow down the life processes before the onset of good conditions for reproduction. This condition is called diapause.

How to fight at home?

Fighting spider mites is difficult, so it's worth doing prevention.

Most mite species do not like humid air, and plants need to spray more often, maintain moisture at the right level in different ways.

Submerging the plant in water rarely helps, because mites are able to form an air bubble around themselves.

The leaves of the plant are necessary wipe on both sides with a damp soft cloth, which must be constantly rinsed in hot water so as not to transfer ticks from plant to plant. Fallen leaves and flowers should not be left in the pot.

Pots before reuse must be washed with detergents, it is better to store them in rooms that are not heated in winter. Wash frames with detergents. Paint wooden frames as often as possible.

The spider mite not only harms the plant itself, but is also a carrier of various diseases, for example, gray rot and spores of various fungi.

Treatment

How to treat flowers from spider mites at home?

All funds will be effective only when multiple processing... It is also necessary to process neighboring plants, frames and a window sill.

Treatment

How to cure flowers from spider mites? If a tick is found, the plant must first be thoroughly washed with household or tar soap. Lather each leaf and each bosom, whipping the foam with your hands and gently processing all parts of the plant. Leave the flower for several hours (you can also for a day), covering it with a plastic bag... Then rinse off the soap thoroughly under a warm shower.

If the defeat was insignificant, then such a procedure will be sufficient, however, it is necessary be sure to repeat two to three times a week. The plant should be sprayed with warm water twice a day and inspected regularly.

Wash frames and windowsill with hot water with any detergent... The rest of the plants on the windowsill also need to be processed in order prevention... Spider mites do not tolerate fresh air and ventilation.

What if the defeat has gone far enough? You must first carry out the treatment with soap, then spray with preparations Intavir, Fitoverma, Karbofos... When processing a window, it is also worth adding "Karbofos" to the water.

Sometimes it helps a fairly simple method: an open container with finely chopped garlic or turpentine, close the plant tightly together with the container for 2-3 days. The edges of the pot must be greased. with tar.

Ways to fight flowers

How to get rid of spider mites on indoor flowers? An individual control method must be selected for each plant.

Orchid

Spider mite on an orchid - photo:

The flower is amazed many types of mites, for example, the phalaenopsis mite that lives in the sinuses. Spider mites on orchids - how to fight? First, the plant must be washed with soap, then treated with one of the chemicals, it is better to use a non-toxic Fitoverm or an aqueous solution of the drug "Actellik".

Spider mites on an orchid: what are the control measures? To fight the tick, use special sticks made in Holland, which are stuck into the soil in a pot with an orchid. Action sticks "Plant-pin" and "Etisso" is based on the following principle: the substance of which they are composed dissolves during watering, is absorbed into the ground and, together with water, is absorbed by the roots, from where it enters the ground part of the plant, the flower becomes unsuitable for feeding ticks.

Soil, moss, orchid pots after purchase boiled water in order to prevent spider mites.

What an orchid infected with a spider mite looks like, and how to avoid plant infection - in this video:

Balsam

Balsams are often attacked by mites. If this happened at the end of summer, in autumn or winter, then the plant must drastically cut... Wash the rest and treat with an insecticide, preferably with a preparation "Alatar", since it is very difficult to get rid of a tick on balsam.

Spider mite on balsam - how to fight? If infection has occurred in spring and summer, then the plant is treated with soapy foam, then sprayed with an insecticide, the procedure is repeated several times after 3-5 days. If the plant is of little value, it is better. throw away and to prevent the appearance of ticks on other flowers.

Spider mite on balsam - photo:

Indoor rose

How to cure and save a rose from a spider mite at home? Spider mite on a rose indoors appears constantly therefore it is important to carry out prevention. But if the plant is already affected, then treatment should be started as soon as possible. Are there any home remedies for spider mites on a rose?

A cobweb appeared on a room rose: what to do? First, you need to wash the rose with hot, up to 50-55 degrees, water with dissolved soap... Leave the plant for a day under a plastic bag and then rinse with water of the same temperature.

Then you have to try processing garlic infusion... If this does not help, then spray with any chemical preparation, it is better to use "Neoron".

How to use spider mite remedy on a home rose? In each case, when you have to process a flower, you must resort to using different chemicals.

Spider mite on a room rose - photo:

Spider mite on a home rose: how to fight?

About, how to process homemade rose from spider mites, you will find out by watching the video:

A few more helpful tips on how how to get rid from a spider mite on a rose at home, you will get from this video:

Ficus

For the prevention of spider mites, ficus is necessary spray regularly... Spider mite on ficus - how to fight? If infected, thoroughly wipe each leaf on both sides well soaped with a rag and, keeping the plant for a day under a plastic bag, wash off the soap with warm water. Then you need to spray the ficus alcoholic solution of calendula, diluted with water, without missing a single leaf.

Effectively irradiating leaves ultraviolet that ticks can't stand. Ficus leaves can be covered oily the drug and leave it for several days.

Spider mite on ficus - photo:

Anthurium

If numerous colonies of ticks are found on a plant, you must first wash with soap, those leaves that are severely affected, cut out. Then remove from the pot, inspect the roots, remove damaged ones, carefully rinse the roots in warm water and transplanted into a clean container in new soil.

Then spray the plant epin... This treatment is usually sufficient.

But if it was not possible to get rid of ticks in this way, then you will have to resort to spraying more toxic drugs, for example "Karate".

Spider mite on anthurium - photo:

Violet

Most often, violets (Saintpaulias) are affected by the cyclamen tick. Cut off the affected leaves, then spray the flower with the drug Fitovern, repeat the treatment twice after 10 days.

Spider mite on a violet - photo:

Dracaena

The plant infects a simple spider mite. The fight against it is to flush the long leaves. in warm water with soap.

If, after repeated water procedures, the tick still remains, then you need to resort to an insecticide. For example, to Fitovermu.

Spider mite on dracaena - photo:

The most effective prevention of spider mites on any indoor plant is washing under a warm shower with laundry or tar soap.

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Spider mites (class Arachnids) are tiny pests that suck sap from plants. They attack the undersides of leaves and suck the sap from the plants; a large infestation of these mites can even kill the plant. As soon as you discover an infestation with these pests, get rid of them urgently! This can be done with both chemicals and natural remedies.

Steps

Spider mite detection

Look at the surface of the leaves. If the plant is indeed infested with spider mites, the leaves will have yellow spots. When light hits the leaves, you will see a silvery color or even streaks of bronze or silver.

• Although mites usually inhabit the underside of leaves, they sometimes become greedy and also eat the tops of leaves and flowers. Over time, they will make holes in the leaves, providing the clearest evidence of infection.
• Even if you cannot find holes in the leaves, the plant may still be infested with spider mites, so watch out for other signs of infestation.
• Other signs of mite damage include irregular shape, warping, wilting, mottling, streaking, or discoloration of the leaf surface. If a particularly harmful spider mite comes across, the leaves may begin to fall off.

1. Check the plant for white spider webs. This is the hallmark of some spider mites. The cobweb usually accumulates around food sites. Note that not all types of spider mites will weave webs.

   Confirm the presence of spider mites. Spider mites are so small that they are very difficult to see. However, one method can be used to confirm their presence. Take a sheet of white paper, place it under the plant if you suspect it is infected, and shake the stem of one of the leaves lightly.

   • Several spider mites will fall onto the paper. You can see them with a magnifying glass.
   • Spider mites come in a variety of colors, including red, green, yellow, and brown. They have eight legs and tend to move rather slowly.
   • Pay special attention to mites with spots on the back. This is a two-spotted spider mite that is especially difficult to get rid of.

2. Be especially vigilant with certain types of plants. There are certain plants that spider mites favor more than others.

   • In particular, look for possible infestations on miniature roses, fruit trees, bananas, potted begonias, beans, mint, broadleaf shrubs, strawberries, jasmine, and houseplants.
   • Keep in mind that the two-spotted spider mite affects over 100 different plant species.

3. Take special care in dry and dusty weather. In these conditions, spider mites can do the most damage, as they are thirsty and seek moisture in the leaves of plants. This also means that they are very attracted to everything grown behind glass, including the plants that are inside on the windowsills.

   Natural remedies

   1. Remove heavily infested plant parts immediately. Remove fallen leaves and remove severely damaged leaves from the plant itself. This will prevent ticks from attacking other plants in the vicinity. Place the leaves in a plastic bag, seal and discard or incinerate.

      • If the entire plant is infected, consider throwing it away. This will give other plants a better chance of survival.
      • Water infested plants only from the top and remove affected areas as soon as you notice them.

   2. Wash and wipe down your indoor plants regularly. This shouldn't be too much of a hassle, but it may be the most effective and non-toxic way to rid your plants of spider mites.

      • Use plain water or a solution of lukewarm (cool) water and a very mild dish soap or dish soap. You can use any kind of soap, but Castilian soap is especially effective. You can also use a special insecticidal soap.
      • Use a sponge dipped in water to scrub individual leaves of the plant, or pour water into a spray bottle and spray the underside of the leaves.
      • After six days, if the infection continues, reapply the soap solution. Be careful, as some plant species are particularly sensitive to soap, so test the soap solution on a small part of the plant before spraying on everything.

   3. Use plant acaricides. There are many commercially available acaricides (anti-ticks) that use natural ingredients that kill spider mites but leave the plant and other insects unharmed. The most popular ones are:

      Hose your outdoor plants. Attach a spray nozzle to the hose and use it to water infested outdoor plants. Spray water vigorously and try to target the underside of the leaves. This will help wash away the spider mites.

   4. Use homemade herbal tea. If you want to make your own acaricide at home, you can make herbal tea by mixing a tablespoon of ground cinnamon, a tablespoon of ground cloves, and two tablespoons of Italian seasoning (consisting of a mixture of ground basil, oregano, rosemary, thyme, and possibly other herbs) on litere of water.

      • Bring water to a boil, then remove from heat. Once it has cooled slightly, add 2 tablespoons of minced fresh garlic. Leave to infuse until the water has completely cooled, then strain through a cloth or coffee filter.
      • Add some liquid dish soap to your tea, then pour into a spray bottle. Spray this tea on the underside of the infected leaves every three days for two weeks. This should effectively kill the ticks.

   5. Use organic salts. Fatty acids or potassium salts can be abrasive against mite organisms. For maximum effect on mites, apply them in the evening to keep plants hydrated for as long as possible.

      • Spray the plants with water in the evenings to keep the environment cooler and more humid. It works well against the two-spotted spider mite, which prefers a warm, dry environment.

   6. Control weeds around plants. Don't give the ticks any additional cover or launching pad to attack the plants you are growing.

      • Try especially to remove all broadleaf weeds.
      • Remove any debris left over from harvest. This includes removing plant debris, dead leaves and other plant matter.

   7. Increase the number of ladybugs and other insects that prey on spider mites. Predatory insects such as lacewing larvae, predatory thrips and ladybugs can wipe out the spider mite population if left in the garden. However, one of the main reasons for the increase in the spider mite population is the use of pesticides that kill their natural enemies. Therefore, you should avoid using pesticides such as carbaryl, malathion, and imidacloprid.

      • These insects can be purchased online, at garden centers, or through advertisements in gardening magazines. Additionally, herbs such as amaranth and borage can naturally attract ladybugs to the garden.
      • Ask the seller for details on how to get the most benefit from predatory insects, noting that you will be less successful if used in mixed-cropping areas.
      • Carnivorous mites can also be used against spider mites. Look for Phytoseiulus persimilis or other predatory mite species in your garden center, then follow the directions for use.
      • Under favorable conditions, predatory mites can wipe out the spider mite population. Interestingly, ladybugs do not touch predatory ticks, focusing only on the spider mite!
   • Some spider mites can be seen with the naked eye. Others are microscopic in size, so they cannot be seen individually, although the cluster can be seen. Use a magnifying glass if you want to get a better look at the ticks!
   • Spider mites can be not only red. Gardeners often group them all together, regardless of color, according to the amount of damage done.
   • There are various families of spider mites. Relatives of eight-legged arachnids can weave silk thread around the food site, both for ease of movement and for protection. The Tetranychidae family is probably the most dangerous to plants. They pierce individual plant cells and extract liquid contents from the cells, leaving the plant cells to fill with air. The two-spotted mite is the most common spider mite that attacks gardens, greenhouses and homes.

   Warnings

   • Getting rid of spider mites can be a challenge. Be persistent and try not to accidentally create the conditions that ticks like (warm, plus shelter, plus a little moisture for most; excessive dryness for some other species).
   • Keep in mind that the use of pesticides also attacks predatory insects, which may also be able to control infestations and put everything back into natural balance. Use them with care and take precautions.
   • It is better to control ticks naturally than with pesticides. Ticks tend to develop pesticide resistance very quickly.
   • Some viruses are transmitted to plants by ticks. This is another good reason to try and get rid of them.