Spider mites are tiny arachnids that can sometimes feed on chlorophyll, sap, and other plant fluids. When the plants have been infested with the spider mite, the leaves will appear speckled and mottled, with white and yellow spots. Spider mites thrive mostly in dry areas with temperatures of at least 29 degrees Celsius, and humidity levels below 60%. Spider mites cannot survive in particularly cold, rainy and humid environments. To prevent the spider mite from infecting indoor plants, it is necessary to keep them hydrated, humid, and keep them in environments with a high level of humidity.
Steps
Step 1. Keep your houseplants hydrated
Watering your houseplants as needed, and regularly, will avoid spider mite infestation, as it thrives only on dry houseplants.
Use cold rather than lukewarm water to water your houseplants. Spider mites will not infest plants if the temperature is too cold
Step 2. Remove dust from houseplants once a week
This will prevent the spider mite from nesting and laying eggs on dry and dusty leaves; in addition, it organizes an environment in which natural predators can feed on red spider mites.
- Depending on the indoor climate and the environment in which the houseplants live, it may be necessary to remove the dust more or less frequently, and this can mean once every few days or once every 2 weeks.
- Eliminate dust from indoor plants by spraying them with powerful jets of water or use a damp and wet cloth to clean each leaf separately. The method to be used may vary depending on the size of the houseplants or the place where they are placed inside the house.
- Place the houseplants in a large sink, tub, shower or outside next to a faucet for the garden pump.
- Use a pressure jet or a spray nozzle to spray water on the leaves of the houseplants and remove all the dust.
- Spray and brush off the dust on the underside of the leaves, where the spider mite nestles most often to escape direct sunlight.
- If you decide to remove dust from houseplants with a soft, damp cloth, rub each side of each leaf.
Step 3. Create a humid environment for houseplants
- Mist indoor plants using a spray bottle with cold water 2 to 3 times a day.
- If indoor plants are planted in pots placed on trays or saucers, fill these with water to provide additional moisture.
Step 4. Protect houseplants from direct sunlight and hot temperatures
Excessive exposure to heat can dry the leaves of the plant and attract the spider mite.
- Use the curtains or lower the blinds near the plants during the hottest hours of the day and when they are exposed to direct sunlight.
- If the indoor environment does not allow you to provide shade for houseplants, you can insert a humidifier next to houseplants that risk being infested by the spider mite.
Step 5. Place red spider mite predators on indoor plants
Some types of predators catch and feed on spider mites without harming the plants.
- There are several species of spider mite predators you can choose from; however, the most common types of predators are Metaseiulus Occidentalis, Phytoseiulus Persimilis, and Phytoseiulus Longpipes.
- To prevent Metaseiulus Occidentalis from dying, it is necessary to ensure that the temperature of the environment, in which the houseplants reside, is on average between 6.5 degrees and 31.5 degrees Celsius.
- Purchase spider mite predators from Internet gardening suppliers or order them by email from a horticultural website.
- If you don't have access to the internet, you can visit your local nursery or garden store for assistance or advice on ordering spider mite predators.
