The spider mite is a small-sized mite (0.3—0.6 mm) that feeds on plant cell sap.
Spider mites like dry air, hot and dry conditions – apartment air and conditions during heating season are very favorable for spider mites. As a result, 6 - 10 generations develop in one year. Female spider mites lay about 20 - 90 eggs every day!! The most harmful to plants are spider mite larvae and adult mites. The entire development of spider mites from egg to adult mite takes 7-14 days, sometimes up to 28 days.
Spider mites mainly feed on the underside of plant leaves, where they suck out the cell sap. Chloroplasts in plant cells disintegrate and yellow spots appear at the damage sites. If there are many spider mites, all damaged leaves turn yellowish to yellowish-brown and fall off. Plant leaves, flowers, and shoots become webbed. Spider mites multiply rapidly if the air temperature is 22-30°C and the relative humidity is below 55%.
The spider mite’s body is elongated oval, greenish-yellow in spring and early summer, reddish at the end of summer. Males are shorter than females. Adults have four pairs of legs. The egg is spherical (diameter 0.14mm), initially transparent, later white. The larva is slightly lighter than adults, with three pairs of legs. The nymph is the same color as the adult, with four pairs of legs.
The spider mite is quite an unpleasant pest. And fighting it is difficult and lengthy. I recommend cutting off infected leaves where there is a large invasion and increasing the humidity level where the plant is located, because, as I wrote, spider mites like dry air. In addition to control, you can use one of the methods described below.
The first method is to spray both sides of the plant leaves with sugar water or Coca-Cola. Leave it for a day and rinse the plant the next day. Sugar water sticks to the spider mite and kills it. This procedure should be repeated every 7 days for at least a month, because it does not destroy the eggs.
The second method is to spray plants with Neemazal or Siltac. This is an insecticide that can be purchased in agricultural and construction stores, in the plant pest control section. Spraying with this preparation should also be done regularly once a week. And remember that it works best if the room temperature where the plants are is above 26°C.
The third method is to use predator insects that eat spider mites. There are various predator insects that can be used, for example, predatory mites. Such beneficial insects can be ordered from me in Latvia. At the end of each month, I organize a group order of predator mites and offer others the opportunity to join the order. I release predator mites monthly on store plants as a preventive measure to eliminate the possibility of pests. Just keep in mind that if there are many infected plants, bulk packages will be needed so the mites can handle the invasion. You can read more about predator mites and join the order here https://www.augi-plants.lv/products/plesejerces-pret-tripsi
The fourth method is to dust plants with Cobra universal (with the black cap) and put the plant in a bag overnight. I have read that this method helps some, while others mentioned that more sensitive plants have died after this method. I have not tried this option myself.
The fifth method is to wipe or spray each leaf on both sides with a neem oil cocktail. Neem oil is a natural product obtained from the neem tree (Azadirachta indica) and is a natural insecticide. However, before use, it must be diluted with water, as too high a concentration can burn the leaves of more sensitive plants. Everyone uses their own recipe for the neem oil cocktail, but I can recommend the following proportions: 500ml warm water, 2 teaspoons neem oil, 1 teaspoon vodka or another liquid with a high alcohol content, 2 teaspoons green soap or Fairy. Mix all this well and then use it to spray the plants. Spraying should be repeated every 7 days for at least a month. You can purchase neem oil on my website. https://augi-plants.lv/products/nima-ella-dabigais-lidzeklis-cinai-ar-kaitekliem-100ml
If you have any further questions about plant care, sign up for a consultation and I will gladly help you with advice so that you can take care of your houseplants like a professional in the future. https://augi-plants.lv/products/attalinata-konsultacija
