Garden Improvement
How To Prevent Spider Mites On Indoor Plants
If you’re noticing small, white bugs on your indoor plants, don’t worry – you likely have spider mites. These pests are common in homes and gardens, but there are a few things you can do to get rid of them.
Our guide today is Michelle Wilde, an expert on indoor plants and certified plant lover. She will guide us on how to get rid of spider mites with some common sense tips. Michelle blogs at www.indoorplantschannel.com and shares her expert tips.
How To Prevent Spider Mites On Indoor Plants
The best way to prevent spider mites on indoor plants is to keep the plants clean. Remove any dead leaves or debris from the plant and its pot. Spider mites love to hide in these areas. Be sure to check the plant carefully every week, including the undersides of the leaves.
Another way to prevent spider mites is to regularly mist the plant with water. This will help to keep the air around the plant humid, which spider mites don’t like. Misting also helps to rinse away any spider mites or eggs that may be on the plant.
If you do find spider mites on your indoor plants, you can control them with insecticidal soap or neem oil. These products are safe to use around people and pets and will not harm the plant. Be sure to follow the instructions on the label carefully.
How To Get Rid Of Spider Mites On Indoor Plants
There are a few things you can do to get rid of spider mites on your indoor plants.
One is to simply remove them by hand. Use a cotton swab or something similar to gently wipe them away.
Another option is to make a homemade spider mite spray. Combine water and dish soap in a spray bottle and shake it up. Then, spray the plant leaves and stems, being sure to reach the undersides where the mites like to hide. You should see results within a few days.
If the infestation is really bad, you may need to treat your plants with a commercial insecticide. Be sure to follow the directions on the label.
How To Control Spider Mites On Indoor Plants
To prevent spider mites on indoor plants, it is important to:
- Keep plants healthy and stress-free
Spider mites are attracted to weak and stressed plants. Therefore, the best way to prevent them is to keep your plants healthy and stress-free. This means giving them the proper amount of water, light, and nutrients.
- Inspect plants regularly
Inspect your plants regularly for spider mites. They are very small, so you may need to use a magnifying glass. Look for webbing, stippling, or discoloration.
- Isolate infected plants
If you find spider mites on a plant, isolate it from your other plants. This will prevent the mites from spreading.
- Treat with insecticidal soap
If you have a serious infestation, you can treat your plants with insecticidal soap. This will kill the mites without harming your plants.
- Use predatory mites
If you want a natural way to control spider mites, you can use predatory mites. These mites will eat the spider mites, without harming your plants.
Conclusion
If you have spider mites on your indoor plants, there are a few things you can do to get rid of them.
First, try to keep the humidity in your home as low as possible.
Second, vacuum your floors and furniture regularly to remove any mites that may be lurking there.
Finally, treat your plants with an insecticidal soap or neem oil to kill any mites that are present. By following these steps, you should be able to get rid of spider mites for good!
About the Author
Michelle Wilde is a stay-at-home mom and avid plant lover. Armed with a post-graduate degree in Computer Science (no kidding!), she loves researching plants and landscapes. When she is not caring for her 4 kids, she spends time on her passion for plants. She blogs at www.indoorplantschannel.com, the trusted source for indoor plants.
