spider mites on houseplants

 How to get rid of spider mites on houseplants

There is nothing more frightening in the heart that loves my houseplants than watering my plants and detecting signs of spider mites.

The evergreen and evergreen leaves begin to appear with yellow spots. And my heartbeats. On closer inspection the small spider webs between the leaves and stems are visible. At this point, my pulse starts to run.

I knew that if I looked more closely, at the base of the leaves, I would see tiny particles absorbing the life of my beautiful plant.

Also, my friends, when I declare war.

If you have had houseplants or gardens for a long time, you can run in with these subtle bugs. It is good to know in advance what to do so you can take action as soon as you are diagnosed with the infection.

What are spider mites?

What are spiders anyway? A spider? An insect? Are they aliens? Are they dangerous?

First, they are not dangerous to you and your pets, only to anything green and growing. They eat only plants.

Spider mites are relatives of spiders but not true arachnids. They are closer to predators than spiders, although they are not a problem for humans.

Where do they come from?

Everywhere.

Seriously, it's almost impossible to have a problem with them at least once in your gardening life.

Outside you will rarely notice them because many of them are natural predators that will take care of an infection for you. But if left unattended, they can cause real damage.

The inside is a little different.

The most commonplace for spiders to hide is in other plants. When you buy a new house plant, I recommend keeping it in isolation for a couple of weeks before placing it near other plants. Take care of it and wipe the leaves with a damp cloth.

Spiders come into our homes and even into our pets, but we can’t do much in that situation.

How can I tell if I have a spider mite problem?

It is rare to see real insects because they are so small. Instead, we usually see the damage they do.

They look like small black or brown spots on the base of the leaves.

As I mentioned above, one day you will be watering your plants and suddenly you will notice that some of the leaves are having fun. They look yellow. If you are lucky, you will take care of your whole plant before it appears this way.

You can see that the leaf stems intertwine well with the plant.

Depending on how long the spiders have been biting your plants, you may even notice their tiny white skeletons. Look at the web and the surface on which your plant sits.

Total.

How do I get rid of spider mites?

You can buy commercial products to treat spider mites, it is not necessary. Without all of the harmful chemicals, the most effective treatments are already in your home.

Isolate

Well, you have an infection, don’t be afraid, here’s what you do. Tie a bandana on your head in the Rambo style. Put black shoe polish under each eye and raise a strong war cry. (Not seriously, this is an important part of the process.)

The most important thing to do is to isolate the affected plant and keep it away from your other plants.

At this time, it is a good idea to check your other houseplants for spider mites and isolate any other diseased plants you may have found.

Take a damp, soft, clean cloth and gently wipe the leaves of healthy plants as a precaution.

Remove dead leaves

Cut off severely damaged leaves. Doing so will stimulate new growth rather than expend energy trying to heal itself.

Rinse the spider mites

One of the easiest and simplest solutions to get rid of spider mites is to rinse the leaves of the plant.

This is very easy to do. Place the pot in a plastic bag and tie it tightly to the base of the plant; This will prevent water stagnation in the soil while treating your plant.

Now bathe your plant. Spray the plant with warm water with a sink sprayer or showerhead.

For a minor infection, you need to take care of this problem.

Gently wipe the leaves and leave the plant alone for two weeks. Make sure all spider mites are removed

Well, keep an eye on it before turning it into a regular place at home.

If you find new spider mite damage, or you want to be extra careful, try one of these solutions, other than spraying the bottom of the plant.

Isopropyl alcohol

Using a cotton pad soaked in alcohol, gently wipe the leaves of the affected plant. The base of the leaves should also be treated as the spiders want to disappear.

Homemade Insecticide Detergent

Mix a teaspoon of castor or liquid dish soap in a quart of warm water. Spray the plant using a spray bottle or soak a clean cloth in a solution of soap and water and wipe the leaves. Do not forget the base of the leaves.

It is best to repeat the treatment every few days for two weeks to make sure you are killing the mature insects and their eggs. You need to disrupt the reproductive cycle.

Once you have effectively removed the pests, it is best to spray the plant with water again. This will remove the soap stains on the leaves.

Neem oil

Neem oil is a natural product that cares for all types of insects, including spiders. Neem is an evergreen tree native to many parts of India and is popular for natural pest control. The oil from the fruits and flowers of this tree is used to make neem oil.

Inspect your plants regularly

Be sure to check the health of your plant regularly. You can set a reminder on your calendar or turn it into a part of your irrigation. (You should have a watering can regularly.)

Check the soil and the leaves of your plants. Do not forget to look at the base of the leaves and the area around their pots.

Wipe the leaves regularly

I know, this sounds silly, and there's one more thing you need to add to the to-do list. However, regular brushing of the leaves of your houseplant will do more than avoid spider mites.

You wipe out the dust that calls for disease and pests. And you will notice problems before they become a big deal.

Not to mention, the leaves are beautiful, healthy, and green. To beautify your home - isn't it important to have houseplants?