Spider mites are one of the most common and destructive pests that can infest houseplants and outdoor plants These tiny creatures are related to spiders and they feed by sucking sap from leaves and stems Heavy infestations of spider mites can seriously damage or even kill plants quickly.
It’s important to identify spider mite infestations early That way you can take steps to eradicate them before the pests get out of control This article will help you identify what spider mites look like on plants and provide tips for getting rid of them naturally,
What Do Spider Mites Look Like on Plants?
Spider mites are tiny arachnids with 8 legs, and they are usually red, green, or yellow in color Although the mites themselves are very small and difficult to see with the naked eye, they leave behind some obvious signs that they have infested plants Here are the most common ways to identify spider mites on plants
1. Webbing on Leaves and Stems
One of the most noticeable signs of spider mites is the webbing they leave behind on infested plants. Spider mites spin fine silky webs on leaves, stems, and wherever they live. These webs look somewhat similar to very fine cobwebs.
Spider mite webs are usually located where leaves join the main stem, in crevices, or where leaves overlap. The webbing gives the mites protection and holds in moisture. As the number of spider mites increases, more webbing will appear.
2. Specks That Look Like Dirt on Leaves
At first glance, spider mites can look like tiny specks of dirt or dust on plant leaves and stems. However, if you look closely (a magnifying glass helps), you will see that the specks are actually clusters of tiny spider mites.
The specks will be concentrated more densely in certain areas rather than being evenly distributed as with dust or dirt specks. Brushing the specks with a paper towel will not remove them if they are actually spider mites and eggs clinging tightly to the plant.
3. Yellow or White Stippling on Leaves
A sure sign that spider mites are feeding on a plant is stippling damage on the leaves. Stippling appears as tiny whitish or yellowish spots on leaf surfaces.
The speckled spots are caused by the mites sucking out chlorophyll and cell contents from the leaves. With heavy infestations, the stippling can become so dense that it makes whole leaves appear yellow or bronzed. Stippling damage is usually concentrated in areas where the mites are densely populated.
4. Distorted Growth and Dry Leaves
With prolonged feeding by thousands of spider mites, the leaves will become deformed and twisted. Plants may also experience stunted growth.
Leaves damaged by spider mites often turn yellow, curl up, dry out, and fall off the plant. If the infestation is not dealt with, the plant may stop growing entirely and eventually die.
5. Thin Foliage
One of the effects of continued spider mite damage is that it causes plants to lose leaves. So if you notice branches with thin foliage with large areas of bare stem, spider mites could be to blame. Healthy plants should have lush, full looking leaves extending all the way along their branches and stems.
Pictures of Spider Mites on Plants
To help identify what spider mites and the damage they cause looks like, here are some pictures of spider mites on outdoor and indoor plants:
- Fine webbing covering leaves and stems
- Spider mites visible as tiny specks in webs and on leaves
- Clusters of yellow dots from mite feeding (stippling damage)
- Leaves turning yellow and drying out
- Distorted growth and loss of leaves
- Bare stems as mites kill off leaves
Having seen images of how spider mites look on plant leaves, you will now find it easier to identify the early signs of infestation. The sooner you catch an infestation, the better your chances of saving your plants.
How to Get Rid of Spider Mites on Plants
If you discover spider mites on your houseplants or in an outdoor garden, here are some effective ways to control and eliminate them:
Remove Heavily Infested Plant Parts
If just a few branches or leaves are infested, prune them off completely. Seal the infested trimmings in a plastic bag and throw them away to prevent further spread.
Hose Down Plants to Remove Mites
Give plants a strong spray with water 2-3 times per week to help wash off mites and make the environment less hospitable. Pay extra attention to the undersides of leaves where mites like to hide.
Use Insecticidal Soap
Insecticidal soaps containing potassium salts of fatty acids can kill spider mites on contact while being safe for plants. Thoroughly spray all parts of the plant, especially the undersides of leaves. Apply a few times per week until mites are gone.
Apply Neem Oil
Extracts from neem trees have insecticidal properties that are effective for controlling spider mites and other pests. Neem oil solutions can be sprayed directly on plants and even added to soil to kill mites and deter re-infestations.
Release Predatory Insects
Ladybugs, lacewings, and predatory mites will feed on spider mites and help eliminate infestations. These beneficial predators can be purchased and released near infested plants.
Isolate and Quarantine Infested Plants
Prevent mites from spreading by keeping infested plants isolated from healthy plants. Destroy any plants that are heavily infested and beyond saving to prevent ongoing infestations.
Apply Horticultural Oils
Some highly refined oils can smother spider mites on contact. Oils like cottonseed oil, neem oil, and citrus oil can be sprayed on plants to control mites. Be sure to test oils first for plant safety.
With persistence using some of these methods, you can get a spider mite infestation under control. It is important to keep monitoring plants closely and promptly deal with any recurring outbreaks before they spiral out of control again.
Frequently Asked Questions about Spider Mites on Plants
How did my plant get spider mites?
Spider mites can infest plants brought in from outside that carry the pests. They can also blow in on wind currents from outside or be transported by clothing or other objects. Spider mites thrive in hot, dry conditions and reproduce rapidly in indoor environments.
What conditions attract spider mites?
Spider mites flourish in dry, dusty conditions and in temperatures over 80° F (27° C). They also propagate quickly where humidity is low. Keeping plants well-watered and providing good ventilation discourages mites.
Should I throw out a plant infested with spider mites?
Plants that are heavily infested and no longer growing well or producing flowers should be discarded to prevent mites from spreading further. Mild infestations can often be controlled with persistence using the methods suggested.
How can I avoid getting spider mites again?
Keep plants well-watered, prune off old growth, provide good ventilation, and don’t over-fertilize plants. Check new plants closely for mites before bringing indoors. Isolate plants if mites are detected to prevent them spreading.
Do spider mites bite humans?
Spider mites generally do not bite or pose any danger to humans. On rare occasions, some people who are highly sensitive could experience mild irritation from contact with the mites. Generally, spider mites are a nuisance for plants rather than humans.
Conclusion
Spotting spider mite infestations early provides the best chance of protecting your plants. Carefully check both sides of leaves and stems regularly for signs like webbing, stippling damage, and yellowing. Taking quick action to isolate, remove, and treat infested plants can help eliminate spider mites and avoid devastation to your garden.
What are two-spotted spider mites?
Two-spotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticae) is a pest of many crops throughout the world. Even though they are small, they can do a lot of damage very quickly because they can reproduce so quickly. There are more than 1200 species worldwide and many of them are major crop pests. There is one species of spider mite that is very important in greenhouses and many outdoor plants. It is called Tetranychus urticae.
Recognize two-spotted spider mite
Spider mites can be identified by the following characteristics:
- Spider mites are very small; adults are about 0 5 mm long in length. They are different from insects that only have six legs because their bodies are oval and have eight legs.
- Color: Spider mites come in many colors, such as black, green, yellow, red, or brown. This type of spider mite has two big dark spots on its body.
- Moving: Spider mites move slowly and tend to gather on the undersides of leaves to feed on plant sap. They produce fine webbing over the infested area.
- When spider mites pierce plant cells and suck out the contents, they can damage leaves. This can cause the leaves to turn yellow, get spots, or turn brown. When there are a lot of them, the leaves can dry out and fall off the plant.
Larvae, nymphs and adults cause damage to the host plant by feeding on plant sap. They mainly occur on the underside of leaves where they pierce the cells and suck out the contents. The dead cells that aren’t being used turn yellow, and on many plants, you can see damage on the tops of the leaves as small yellow dots. The destruction of cells results in reduced photosynthesis, increased transpiration and reduced plant growth. Whole leaves turn yellow as the damage gets worse, and as more cell sap is taken away, the leaf and eventually the whole plant may die. In tomatoes and cucumbers, damage to the leaf surface as small as 1% can cause the crop to fail. Both nymphs and adults make webs, and plants can become completely covered with them. Mites live in these webs. The webbing and spotting on the leaves affects the appearance of the crop. This is of particular concern in ornamental crops.