A Gardeners Forum Forums Gardening Reference Gardening in 2004 Any way to prevent spider mites?

Just been through a battle with spider mites. I used Safer's insecticidal soap as per instructions and I did win the war, but a few of my plants suffered badly. Since then I've been spraying the plants with water every day, not for humidity but in an attempt to prevent another infestation ( I read that mites didn't like humidity )

Is there anything else I could use as a preventive? Would a once-a-week spray with soapy water help to keep the mites away? I read somewhere about a citrus spray but there was no recipe, anyone heard about this? I really don't want to go through the whole mess again!

I was going to say mist like a water demond but your already spraying once a day. The only other thing I've read says to spray with a systemic or malathion as soon as you see signs of atack .
If you mist like me though spider mites shouldn't bug your plants!

Thanks for the reply, apples, I'll keep spraying away!

The problem with pests and bugs is that usually when I notice them, the infestation has become an all out invasion and I'd rather prevent than fight !

Use Pedator Mites! You'll have to stop the spraying and put your plants in the shower, or if you are having the kinda weather we are...sit them outside and let the RAIN wash them. If you get these, Release them A.S.A.P., or they will get Hungry and Eat Each Other Click on: Good Guys
I have used these and they work GREAT!!

:p Unfortunitly it's against the law to ship bugs over the canadian/US boarder but if I can find a canadian place that sells them they sound great! I have a very little spider mite problem I think but every time I find them it rains and is very humid for the next few days, lots of dew, and they disapere to make me think I'm crazzy

hi all,

i just that minute before reading these posts found mites on my ficus. i thought that my dracaena was infested because its leaves had millions of tiny yellow dots but i never saw webs or mites. with the ficus i found the webs and the little buggers! it looks like only a bit of the tree is infested so far. at what point is it worth spraying it down with soap? right away? i sprayed my dracaena down and she took it pretty hard - the soap got into her leaves where the mites and bitten and now they're turning brown.

yikes! also, is it really okay to use dishwashing soap?

and i'm assuming you shouldn't release predator mites indoors?

slowjane

Spider mites reproduce very rapidly as the temps increase and the humidity drops. Cooler temps and increased humidity will slow their rate of reproduction. However, neither will actually prevent spider mites.

The best way to prevent pest infestations is to keep the plant healthy by providing good care. plants that do not recieve proper light and water and are in pots that are too large are under stress and very vulnerable to pest infestations. So good plant care is your first line of defense.

The second line of defense is early detection. Spider mites look like tiny specks of dust on the undersides of leaves. It is a good idea to check your plants at least monthly for early signs of pests. When caught early, they are much easier to eradicate.

Yes, standard liquid dish soap is quite effective against spider mites. The key is to drench all of the leaves so that all leaf and stem surfaces are covered. Remember that spider mites are tiny enough to fit between the spaces of the mist droplets, so the leaves must be dripping wet.

I care for over a thousand plants each week in many locations where the humidity is low and temps are quite warm. Pest problems are surprisingly rare because I keep the plants healthy. When pests do appear, I catch them early and treatment is usually with soap and easily accomplished. I don't use pesticides.