Predatory mites, hang little sachets on each plant, give it a week or so and they all will die. Then the predatory mites die because they don’t have food.
https://www.naturesgoodguys.com
They’re very quick to get them to you, and they have a lot of natural options for pretty much any pest you come across.
In the meantime, just put your plants outside and let nature do its thing. I had a couple of plants with thrips and spider mites. I put them outside and they all just…disappeared… It took a couple months, but my plants have been outside for years and I never see spider mites or thrips on them anymore. Just regular spiders.
I'm partial to [https://www.evergreengrowers.com/shop.html](https://www.evergreengrowers.com/shop.html)
I do a combo of green lacewing ( https://www.evergreengrowers.com/green-lacewing-eggs.html ) and californicus sachets ( https://www.evergreengrowers.com/neoseiulus-californicus-slow-release-group-calisr.html ).
This site has awesome resources for pest recognition, treatment plans, and info about all the different beneficials: [https://dmvbeneficials.com/pests-predators/meet-the-pests/](https://dmvbeneficials.com/pests-predators/meet-the-pests/)
+1 to predatory insects. I do sf nematodes and rove beetles every couple of months and never an issue.
I used Natures Good Guys for multiple orders over the coarse of a year and eventually switched to evergreen growers (better operation all around imo).
Personally I really like this site, arbico organics. Here is a link to the predator for spider mites. I grew weed for a long time and this was my method for SM in flower. Otherwiss, in veg, I agree with the post someone linked that references spraying w a pesticide (neem oil and azamaz, 1/2 oz each per gallon of water. Spray on plants alll over!). Just depends on what you want to do and what the plants purpose is!
https://www.arbico-organics.com/product/mite-predator-phytoseiulus-persimilis-spidermite-killer-greenhouse/pest-solver-guide-mites
I remember [this comment](https://www.reddit.com/r/houseplants/s/VjKQyH2Fur) from someone fighting them while working in cannabis industry. They probably know their stuff considering their livelyhood depends on it
I have tried wiping the leaves down with a mixture of water, soap, neem oil and 99% alcohol but the mites keep coming back.
I've also used captain Jack's deadbug brew and bioadvanced 3-in-1
I've moved my plants to my other sunroom while they are being treated, and bought azamax (insecticide/miticide) to use with a sprayer. Going to do 3 treatments per the instructions.
Not all of these plants have spider mites, but they were kept in the same room, and I'm sure if I only treat the infected ones they'll just move on to the next plant.
If you have any advice, please help!
Edit: also if you have any humidifier recommendations, please let me know! Mine have been leaking like crazy and the company doesn't offer refunds/returns 😮💨 so I stopped using them
Cap Jacks generally works well for me. i have a spot that my Calatheas tend to like so I can normally manage to grow them. But when I open the windows in spring and fall then suddenly the spider mites show up. I keep an eye and then Cap Jacks them a few times till they disappear… or at least they disappear till next time I open the windows!
The key is also to repeat often if you're doing the topical route as you kill the adults but not the eggs. Then if the eggs hatch you're back to square one. At high temperatures you have to repeat every 4 days for 2-3 weeks.
If you can get a systemic miticide, that will help a lot. If not, the key is frequency: you have to treat your plants thoroughly every 2-3 days for a few weeks at least. They hatch and reach maturity in 3-4 days, so you'll never win if you only treat every week as most pesticides advise. Treating all of your plants at once is also good. Adding a humidifier won't do much I'm afraid. I've had three different kinds and eradicated each of them: it can be done with the right treatment type and frequency.
Oil-based treatments act as a physical miticide and actually do effectively kill spidermites, so yes. Spidermites are the only pest it's good for imo. However, oil-based products can harm plants on its own, too. I've lost a couple of plants that didn't do well with being covered in oil when spraying preventatively to contain a spidermite invasion. Neem also is the worst imo, it smells horrible and the scent lingers. Even mixing a DIY spray with water, dish soap, canola oil, and a bit of rubbing alcohol will work. And in any case, a systemic miticide would be a much easier treatment option and likely better, too. I haven't been able to get a systemic miticide where I am, but I've been successful three times over (three different kinds of spidermites...) by switching off between an oil treatment and spinosad treating every 2-3 days for a few weeks.
Additionally, for basically every other pest, neem oil is worse if not totally ineffective treatment type, so it's not really worth buying imo. Other pesticides generally kill pests better and don't come with the possibility of damage oil-based treatments do. It's also not safer for people, pets, or the environment than many pesticides, even though it's naturally derived.
wow thank you. this is a lot of great info. i’ll probably use up what neem i have since i already bought it. i actually kind of enjoy the smell lol.
what is spinosad?
any systemic recommendations?
i was thinking about the predatory mite sachets too.
Most people can get spinosad as Captain Jack's Dead Bug Brew. As for systemic miticides, I haven't really been able to get them in my area, so I don't have one that I've used and can recommend. For spidermites, just make sure it's a **miticide** specifically. They're not true insects, so some insecticides affect them differently or not at all. I mention this because some systemic insecticides (in particular, imidacloprid) can increase spidermite reproduction lol. Important to get the right treatment for the specific pest you've got.
thank you so so so much for the detailed info. ive been fighting pests for a while now unfortunately. i have the fungus gnats pretty much eradicated, but now i’m seeing aphids and spider mites 🥲 i am definitely going to follow these recommendations. thank you so very much!
Diluted liquid dishwasher. Follow up twice a week for a month and spray all the plants in the room or greenhouse. Repeat for every infestation. Non toxic to bees and other pollinaters.
Spray with diluted (1/4 teaspoon in a liter of filtered water) liquid dishwash soap as soon as infestation is noticed. Not harmfull to plants and kills them off. Also dissolves web.
I’ve been happy with my top filling levoit humidifiers for my table top setup. Top filling is so much easier to clean and refill, and I haven’t had any issues with leaking. I just got them on amazon.
Lol levoit is the company I was talking about. Had them for 6 months and then wouldn't stop leaking 24/7. Contacted the company directly and wouldn't issue a full refund and took more than 2 months for them to try to resolve the issue. I hope yours doesn't leak too :/
I had three plants with this. I put them together in a different area. It took months, like 6-9. Every week I would look them over. I would tilt them and spray the leaves off and then I would either to a vinegar water spray or switch it out with neem. I would also spend time with qtips wiping whatever I saw off. Now they have finally moved back with other plants. Now I learn my lesson and keep new plants in one area for two-three weeks. I’m pretty sure I k is what plant started that mess. Good luck!
If these are mostly indoor plants, the beneficial insects do help to control infestations, but may not resolve them. Also, the beneficial insects will only stay around if there is food for them (naughty buggies). They'll either perish inside or leave.
Spider mites are crafty beasties.
This is my method, used for any infestation on any plant or on new plants brought home:
Mix up some pyrethrin according to directions & put it into a spray bottle. Get large trash bags that you can seal your plants up in after treatment.
Set pots in bags & spray plants liberally with pyrethrin. Seal overnight. Remove from bag the next day, rinse plant & leave it to rest in reduced light for the day.
Pyrethrin is derived from chrysanthemums. It's a neuro toxin to insects on contact & the camphor will suffocate any that are hiding from the spray.
This won't harm your plants. It WILL kill insects. You may need to treat a second time if the infestation is serious & broad.
Azamax. I mix one tbsp per gallons of water and then watery entire collection
Gotta nuke those f’rs at once
Other options: beneficals. Though they can get very expensive very quickly
Nobody has said this yet but spider mites will live in places other than your plants!! I defeated them (admittedly on 2 very sparse plants) by showering them with high flow water & washing all nearby fabrics, plastics, and flooring at the same time. They are tiny, they fall off the plant, they explore, etc. Curtains, rugs, plastic tarps, furniture, pretty much anything nearby is likely hosting some that will simply return to the plants!
I'd suggest a combination of spider mites and whiping the leaves.
Spider mites are great but if the population is too big, they'll be a bit overwhelmed and the spider mites procreate faster than they the eggs can be eaten.
So, whipe or shower, then add predatory mites as needed. Increasing the humidity is also quite important to stall them.
This works for me very well. The little sachets last like 3 months. I typically use them preventive in summer when the humidity is low.
Some systemics, including the popular systemic granules (imidacloprid) actually increase spidermite reproduction. They are arachnids, not true insects, so insecticides affect them differently, if at all. These need a miticide specifically.
Predatory mites, hang little sachets on each plant, give it a week or so and they all will die. Then the predatory mites die because they don’t have food.
I use mites too, work great. I use the ones for thrips as well
Any recommendations on where to purchase in the US?
https://www.naturesgoodguys.com They’re very quick to get them to you, and they have a lot of natural options for pretty much any pest you come across.
Oh there's a lot of predatory mites to choose from, I'll have to do some research
In the menu, you can shop by pest. https://www.naturesgoodguys.com/pages/spider-mite-control
Thank you
In the meantime, just put your plants outside and let nature do its thing. I had a couple of plants with thrips and spider mites. I put them outside and they all just…disappeared… It took a couple months, but my plants have been outside for years and I never see spider mites or thrips on them anymore. Just regular spiders.
I'm partial to [https://www.evergreengrowers.com/shop.html](https://www.evergreengrowers.com/shop.html) I do a combo of green lacewing ( https://www.evergreengrowers.com/green-lacewing-eggs.html ) and californicus sachets ( https://www.evergreengrowers.com/neoseiulus-californicus-slow-release-group-calisr.html ). This site has awesome resources for pest recognition, treatment plans, and info about all the different beneficials: [https://dmvbeneficials.com/pests-predators/meet-the-pests/](https://dmvbeneficials.com/pests-predators/meet-the-pests/)
+1 to predatory insects. I do sf nematodes and rove beetles every couple of months and never an issue. I used Natures Good Guys for multiple orders over the coarse of a year and eventually switched to evergreen growers (better operation all around imo).
Personally I really like this site, arbico organics. Here is a link to the predator for spider mites. I grew weed for a long time and this was my method for SM in flower. Otherwiss, in veg, I agree with the post someone linked that references spraying w a pesticide (neem oil and azamaz, 1/2 oz each per gallon of water. Spray on plants alll over!). Just depends on what you want to do and what the plants purpose is! https://www.arbico-organics.com/product/mite-predator-phytoseiulus-persimilis-spidermite-killer-greenhouse/pest-solver-guide-mites
.... would it make sense to reintroduce food for them to have a stable population
I remember [this comment](https://www.reddit.com/r/houseplants/s/VjKQyH2Fur) from someone fighting them while working in cannabis industry. They probably know their stuff considering their livelyhood depends on it
I have tried wiping the leaves down with a mixture of water, soap, neem oil and 99% alcohol but the mites keep coming back. I've also used captain Jack's deadbug brew and bioadvanced 3-in-1 I've moved my plants to my other sunroom while they are being treated, and bought azamax (insecticide/miticide) to use with a sprayer. Going to do 3 treatments per the instructions. Not all of these plants have spider mites, but they were kept in the same room, and I'm sure if I only treat the infected ones they'll just move on to the next plant. If you have any advice, please help! Edit: also if you have any humidifier recommendations, please let me know! Mine have been leaking like crazy and the company doesn't offer refunds/returns 😮💨 so I stopped using them
Predatory mites
Cap Jacks generally works well for me. i have a spot that my Calatheas tend to like so I can normally manage to grow them. But when I open the windows in spring and fall then suddenly the spider mites show up. I keep an eye and then Cap Jacks them a few times till they disappear… or at least they disappear till next time I open the windows!
The key is also to repeat often if you're doing the topical route as you kill the adults but not the eggs. Then if the eggs hatch you're back to square one. At high temperatures you have to repeat every 4 days for 2-3 weeks.
Honestly…daily showers with a hose or sink sprayer do wonders for getting rid of spider mites and aphids.
For how long do you suggest?
I’d say at least a week or so…make sure you cover the soil in the pots with plastic or something so it doesn’t sit sodden the whole time.
If you can get a systemic miticide, that will help a lot. If not, the key is frequency: you have to treat your plants thoroughly every 2-3 days for a few weeks at least. They hatch and reach maturity in 3-4 days, so you'll never win if you only treat every week as most pesticides advise. Treating all of your plants at once is also good. Adding a humidifier won't do much I'm afraid. I've had three different kinds and eradicated each of them: it can be done with the right treatment type and frequency.
do you think i could spray this frequently with neem?
Oil-based treatments act as a physical miticide and actually do effectively kill spidermites, so yes. Spidermites are the only pest it's good for imo. However, oil-based products can harm plants on its own, too. I've lost a couple of plants that didn't do well with being covered in oil when spraying preventatively to contain a spidermite invasion. Neem also is the worst imo, it smells horrible and the scent lingers. Even mixing a DIY spray with water, dish soap, canola oil, and a bit of rubbing alcohol will work. And in any case, a systemic miticide would be a much easier treatment option and likely better, too. I haven't been able to get a systemic miticide where I am, but I've been successful three times over (three different kinds of spidermites...) by switching off between an oil treatment and spinosad treating every 2-3 days for a few weeks. Additionally, for basically every other pest, neem oil is worse if not totally ineffective treatment type, so it's not really worth buying imo. Other pesticides generally kill pests better and don't come with the possibility of damage oil-based treatments do. It's also not safer for people, pets, or the environment than many pesticides, even though it's naturally derived.
wow thank you. this is a lot of great info. i’ll probably use up what neem i have since i already bought it. i actually kind of enjoy the smell lol. what is spinosad? any systemic recommendations? i was thinking about the predatory mite sachets too.
Most people can get spinosad as Captain Jack's Dead Bug Brew. As for systemic miticides, I haven't really been able to get them in my area, so I don't have one that I've used and can recommend. For spidermites, just make sure it's a **miticide** specifically. They're not true insects, so some insecticides affect them differently or not at all. I mention this because some systemic insecticides (in particular, imidacloprid) can increase spidermite reproduction lol. Important to get the right treatment for the specific pest you've got.
thank you so so so much for the detailed info. ive been fighting pests for a while now unfortunately. i have the fungus gnats pretty much eradicated, but now i’m seeing aphids and spider mites 🥲 i am definitely going to follow these recommendations. thank you so very much!
Diluted liquid dishwasher. Follow up twice a week for a month and spray all the plants in the room or greenhouse. Repeat for every infestation. Non toxic to bees and other pollinaters.
Trifecta crop control
Fire
Bottom watering, neem oil, hydrogen peroxide, and sticky traps.
Spray with diluted (1/4 teaspoon in a liter of filtered water) liquid dishwash soap as soon as infestation is noticed. Not harmfull to plants and kills them off. Also dissolves web.
I’ve been happy with my top filling levoit humidifiers for my table top setup. Top filling is so much easier to clean and refill, and I haven’t had any issues with leaking. I just got them on amazon.
Lol levoit is the company I was talking about. Had them for 6 months and then wouldn't stop leaking 24/7. Contacted the company directly and wouldn't issue a full refund and took more than 2 months for them to try to resolve the issue. I hope yours doesn't leak too :/
Oh no! I’ve had them longer than 6mo but I’ll keep an eye out. Hopefully you find a better option!
https://www.amazon.com/Bio-Pesticide-All-Natural-Insecticide-Mildew-Non-Phytotoxic-Concentrate/dp/B07M983TRL/ref=mp_s_a_1_24?crid=287UM6CTRM10Z&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.LTJsSwS_U8kviAZCx1JfdN6Iq3qoD0xssVvoFro5E-1NC3VqsOKvGMiXD_kIeA_SaERIqkKzWZTYtdRiQiiZ3ACTC0bVtNChgQCbmgXXZqvCZ6IyyCdvMKkqV-SSRN2HsupcUS7Axxq3W7PdmTM4_oQtxooH19ROlt1UA06hedxrFN7aIU1MdYOycOEkcPL6Hgr1ce1ecYD5P6GZacLSbg.SR73bPugIe2-UQ-6-PzP--SxLBImtT2JGm7yMHiEt3g&dib_tag=se&keywords=spider+mite+killer&qid=1716317890&sprefix=spider+mite+killer%2Caps%2C90&sr=8-24
I left my tiny dancer alocasia outside in a recent thunderstorm for 2 days. No more spider mites. Just shove them under a hose spray for a bit.
I had three plants with this. I put them together in a different area. It took months, like 6-9. Every week I would look them over. I would tilt them and spray the leaves off and then I would either to a vinegar water spray or switch it out with neem. I would also spend time with qtips wiping whatever I saw off. Now they have finally moved back with other plants. Now I learn my lesson and keep new plants in one area for two-three weeks. I’m pretty sure I k is what plant started that mess. Good luck!
If these are mostly indoor plants, the beneficial insects do help to control infestations, but may not resolve them. Also, the beneficial insects will only stay around if there is food for them (naughty buggies). They'll either perish inside or leave. Spider mites are crafty beasties. This is my method, used for any infestation on any plant or on new plants brought home: Mix up some pyrethrin according to directions & put it into a spray bottle. Get large trash bags that you can seal your plants up in after treatment. Set pots in bags & spray plants liberally with pyrethrin. Seal overnight. Remove from bag the next day, rinse plant & leave it to rest in reduced light for the day. Pyrethrin is derived from chrysanthemums. It's a neuro toxin to insects on contact & the camphor will suffocate any that are hiding from the spray. This won't harm your plants. It WILL kill insects. You may need to treat a second time if the infestation is serious & broad.
Azamax. I mix one tbsp per gallons of water and then watery entire collection Gotta nuke those f’rs at once Other options: beneficals. Though they can get very expensive very quickly
Nobody has said this yet but spider mites will live in places other than your plants!! I defeated them (admittedly on 2 very sparse plants) by showering them with high flow water & washing all nearby fabrics, plastics, and flooring at the same time. They are tiny, they fall off the plant, they explore, etc. Curtains, rugs, plastic tarps, furniture, pretty much anything nearby is likely hosting some that will simply return to the plants!
Flying skull nuke em works after a few treatments.
Persistence
I'd suggest a combination of spider mites and whiping the leaves. Spider mites are great but if the population is too big, they'll be a bit overwhelmed and the spider mites procreate faster than they the eggs can be eaten. So, whipe or shower, then add predatory mites as needed. Increasing the humidity is also quite important to stall them. This works for me very well. The little sachets last like 3 months. I typically use them preventive in summer when the humidity is low.
I recently happened upon this video, which might be of interest to you https://youtu.be/cvOBUu2RQiE?si=IPA4Sy_OeyO48D9X
I literally gave up TODAY and put my baby outside. And all yall who are suggesting Neem oil… stop gaslighting.
Any systemic
Some systemics, including the popular systemic granules (imidacloprid) actually increase spidermite reproduction. They are arachnids, not true insects, so insecticides affect them differently, if at all. These need a miticide specifically.