Andre CampbellDealing with spider mites can be frustrating. However, finding and controlling them early can help protect your plants.
Spider mites are tiny plant-feeding pests. They are not insects. Instead, they are arachnids related to spiders and ticks.
They commonly attack beans, cucurbits, tomatoes, ornamentals, houseplants, and many other plants [1].
Spider mites can be difficult to see without a magnifying glass. Fine webbing and tiny yellow or white spots on leaves are common signs of an infestation.
These pests pierce plant cells and feed on their contents. This causes tiny pale spots called stippling. Bad infestations may cause leaves to turn yellow, dry out, and fall.
How to Get Rid of Spider Mites Naturally
Below are some natural and organic ways to control spider mites. Most treatments work best when you find the pests early.
Before spraying an entire plant, test the treatment on a few leaves. Wait at least 24 hours to check for damage.
1. Remove Infested Leaves
Remove leaves that are badly damaged or covered with webbing. This can reduce the number of mites and eggs on the plant.
Place the leaves in a sealed bag and put them in the trash. Do not add infested leaves to your compost pile.
Avoid removing too many leaves at once. A plant still needs healthy leaves to make food and recover.
If a houseplant is badly infested, move it away from your other plants. You may need to discard it if treatments do not work or the damage is severe.
2. Spray Them With Water
A strong spray of water is one of the easiest ways to reduce spider mites.
Spray the tops and undersides of the leaves. The water can knock off many mites and remove some of their webbing.
Repeat this treatment every day or every few days for at least a week. Use enough pressure to remove the mites without harming the plant.
Spray outdoor plants in the morning. This gives the leaves time to dry before night. Wet leaves that stay damp for too long may develop plant diseases.
3. Use Insecticidal Soap
Insecticidal soap can kill spider mites that it touches. It works best when you cover the pests well.
Choose a product labeled for spider mites and for the type of plant you are treating. Follow the instructions on the label.
Spray both sides of the leaves, paying close attention to the undersides. You will likely need to apply it more than once because newly hatched mites may appear after the first treatment.
Do not use ordinary dishwashing liquid as a replacement. Some dish soaps contain degreasers, fragrances, and other ingredients that can burn plant leaves.
You can purchase an insecticidal soap such as this one.
Do not spray insecticidal soap when plants are dry, stressed, or sitting in hot sunlight.
4. Use a Horticultural Oil
Horticultural oil coats and smothers spider mites. Some oils may also kill spider mite eggs when the spray covers them completely.
Choose a product labeled for spider mites and the plant you want to treat. Mix and apply it exactly as directed.
Cover the tops and undersides of the leaves. Do not apply horticultural oil during very hot weather or when a plant needs water.
Some plants are sensitive to oil sprays, so test a small area first. Do not combine oil with sulfur or other pesticides unless the label says it is safe.
5. Consider a Labeled Rosemary Oil Product
Rosemary oil has shown activity against two-spotted spider mites in research [2]. However, homemade essential oil mixtures may be too strong and could damage plants.
If you want to use rosemary oil, choose a garden product labeled for mites. Follow the directions and test it on a few leaves first.
Keep essential oils away from children and pets. Avoid getting them in your eyes or on your skin.
6. Release Predatory Mites
Predatory mites feed on spider mites. One useful species is Phytoseiulus persimilis. It is often used in greenhouses and other protected growing areas [3].
Predatory mites usually work best when they are released early. They may have trouble controlling a large infestation that already has heavy webbing.
Minute pirate bugs and lacewing larvae may also eat spider mites. Ladybugs may eat some, but they are less dependable because they can fly away.
Avoid applying neem oil, horticultural oil, insecticidal soap, or other pesticides after releasing predatory mites unless the supplier says the treatment is safe for them.
7. Apply Neem Oil
Neem oil is commonly used to help control spider mites and other garden pests.
Neem products come in different strengths. Do not use one general homemade recipe for every product. Choose a neem product labeled for spider mites and follow its directions.
Spray both sides of the leaves, especially the undersides. Complete coverage is important because neem must reach the mites to work well.
Avoid spraying neem oil during the hottest part of the day. Avoid spraying open flowers. Never spray while bees or other pollinators are visiting the plant.
Some neem products can be used on houseplants. Check the label first, and treat the plant outdoors or in a well-ventilated area if directed.
8. Isolate Infested Houseplants
Move an infested houseplant away from healthy plants as soon as possible.
Spider mites may spread when the leaves of two plants touch. They can also travel on tools, clothing, hands, and air currents.
Check every plant that was close to the infested one. Look under the leaves for webbing, tiny moving dots, and pale spots.
Keep the affected plant separate until you no longer find living mites, new webbing, or new pale spots. Continue checking it for several weeks.
9. Check Plants With White Paper
Spider mites are so small that they may look like dust. A simple white-paper test can help you find them.
Hold a sheet of white paper under a leaf. Tap or shake the leaf gently. If tiny dots fall onto the paper, watch them for a few seconds. Spider mites may begin crawling across the paper.
You can gently smear one with your finger. A red, green, yellow, or brown streak may help confirm that it is a mite.
A hand lens or magnifying glass can help you examine them more closely. Check several leaves, especially those with pale spots.
Finding spider mites early makes them much easier to manage.
10. Debug ON
Debug ON is an organic pest control product made with neem oil and azadirachtin.
It is labeled for controlling several plant pests, including spider mites. However, the plants, mixing rates, and uses allowed may vary.
Read and follow the label before applying it. Do not assume that every pesticide can be used on every vegetable, fruit, or houseplant.
11. Organocide
Organocide is an oil-based product labeled for controlling spider mites and other soft-bodied pests.
It is also labeled for certain plant diseases, including powdery mildew and downy mildew.
The product may be used on listed vegetables, fruits, herbs, ornamentals, and other plants. However, you must follow the label.
The label directs users to take houseplants outdoors before spraying them. Do not spray them inside the home.
Test Organocide on a small part of the plant first. Some plants may be sensitive to oil-based sprays.
12. Keep Plants Healthy
Spider mite problems often become worse when plants are dry and stressed.
Give plants the right amount of water for their needs. Do not allow them to stay dry for long periods, but do not leave their roots sitting in soggy soil.
Remove weeds that may host spider mites. Give plants enough room for good airflow, and check them often during hot, dry weather.
Healthy plants may still get spider mites, but they are often better able to survive the damage.
13. Avoid Broad-Spectrum Insecticides
Avoid unnecessary use of broad-spectrum insecticides.
These products may kill insects and predatory mites that naturally feed on spider mites. Some broad-spectrum pesticides can cause spider mite populations to increase after their natural enemies are gone.
Always check the label to make sure a product is made to control mites. Many common insecticides do not work well against them.
14. Bonide Mite-X
Bonide Mite-X is a ready-to-use botanical spray.
It contains cottonseed oil, clove oil, and garlic oil or extract. It does not contain azadirachtin.
Mite-X is labeled for controlling mites, thrips, and aphids on certain indoor and outdoor plants.
Follow the product label carefully. Test the spray on one or two leaves first because its oils may damage sensitive plants or open flowers.
15. SuffOil-X
SuffOil-X is made with refined, pre-emulsified mineral oil.
It coats and smothers mites and other listed pests. It is also labeled to help control or suppress powdery mildew on certain plants.
SuffOil-X is approved for organic production. However, this does not mean it can be used on every plant. Use it only on crops, plants, pests, and diseases listed on the label.
Dilute and apply it exactly as directed. Do not spray plants that are dry or stressed. Check the label for temperature limits and warnings about mixing it with sulfur or other pesticides.
See also: Natural russet mite treatments.
How to Help Prevent Spider Mites
Spider mites reproduce quickly during hot, dry weather. Check your plants often when these conditions occur.
Inspect new houseplants before placing them near your other plants. Look closely at the undersides of the leaves.
Give plants enough water and try to prevent long periods of drought stress. Keep leaves and growing areas clean, and remove badly infested plant material.
Raising the humidity around suitable houseplants may make conditions less favorable for spider mites. However, high humidity alone will not control an infestation.
Make sure plants still have good airflow. Too much moisture and poor airflow may encourage fungal diseases.
Spider Mite Treatment Safety Tips
Always read and follow the label before applying a pest control product.
Do not mix neem oil, horticultural oil, insecticidal soap, essential oils, or other pesticides unless the labels say they can be combined. Mixing treatments may burn the plant.
Avoid spraying plants during very hot weather or in strong sunlight. Do not treat a plant that is dry, wilted, or badly stressed.
Keep sprays away from children and pets. Avoid spraying open flowers. Never spray while bees or other pollinators are visiting the plant.
If you are treating an edible plant, make sure the product is labeled for that crop. Follow any waiting period listed on the label before harvesting.
Takeaway
Spider mites can cause serious damage to indoor and outdoor plants. Heavy infestations often create fine silk webbing on leaves and stems.
Check the undersides of leaves regularly for webbing, tiny moving dots, and pale spots. A magnifying glass or white-paper test can help you find these tiny pests.
Start treatment as soon as you notice a problem. Water sprays, insecticidal soap, horticultural oil, neem products, and predatory mites are among the better control choices.
More than one treatment is often needed. Some sprays may miss spider mites or fail to kill all their eggs. Repeat treatments according to the product label and continue checking the plant.
For the best results, combine safe natural and organic pest control methods with regular plant checks and proper care.
Sasha Campbell
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