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How to Kill Spiter Mites

Spider mites are members of the arachnid family along with ticks and spiders. They are the most common mite pests and can cause major damage to plants by feeding on the cell content of their leaves. Common symptoms of spider mite infestations are tiny moving dots, leaf discoloration, and silk webbing left behind by the mites on stems, shoots, flowers and leaves. If you discover spider mites on your plants, treat them immediately before they cause injury or death to them.

Things You'll Need

2 tsp. liquid dish soap
Spray bottle with water
Petroleum-based horticulture spray
Garden hose or faucet

Instructions

- 1
  Inspect your plants for spider mites and isolate any you find from your other healthy plants. Look carefully on the undersides of leaves where spider mites like to hide and lay their eggs. Discard heavily infested plants.
- 2
  Remove spider mites and their eggs with water pressure for smaller infestations. Use a strong stream of water from a garden hose or faucet to physically remove spider mites and their eggs from your plants.
- 3
  Kill larger infestations of spider mites with a homemade insecticidal soap. Fill a spray bottle with water and add 2 tsp. liquid dish soap. Mix well, and spray every part of your plant, paying special attention to the undersides of leaves. Insecticidal soap does not have a residual effect, so you will need to retreat your plants once a week for pest control.
- 4
  Mist garden and house plants with water two to three times a day for spider mite control. Adequate watering is important because water-stressed plants are more vulnerable to spider mites and are more likely to be damaged.
- 5
  Purchase a petroleum-based horticultural oil spray from your local home and garden center. Spray the soil around your plant's roots, stems and leaves to control and repel spider mites and other plant pests.

Insects & Science