Small bright spots, yellowing and falling leaves as well as delicate spider webs are a sign that the plants could be attackedhoppy spider miteDisfigured plants are an unpleasant sight, and the repeated invasions of this pest - a big challenge for every gardener. Learn about effectivespider mite control methods , including the bestspider mite treatment , biological preparations and smart and easy to applyhome remedies for spider mites
Hop spider mite on potted plants. Visible small insects and delicate spider webs
The spider mite - symptoms
Spider mitesThese are small (0.4-0.6 mm) arachnids, with a red or yellow-orange color. A specific, easy to recognize symptom of their occurrence is a characteristic delicate spider web. They feed on the underside of the leaves of the plant, strongly tangling them with this very spider web. If the population of spider mites is large, they can also colonize petioles, flower stalks and flowers. Their occurrence is favored by high temperature and dry air.
While feeding, the spider mites pierce the leaf skin and suck the juices out of it. Small bright spots form at the site of tissue damage, then the leaves turn yellow and fall off. These are the most commonfeeding symptomsvisible on plant leaves.
The most dangerous representative of this group of pests ishop spider mite(Tetranyus urcicae), which attacks over 300 plant species, including indoor plants.In addition to it, there are also:greenhouse spider mite(Tetranyus cinnabarinus), a frequent enemy of greenhouse crops, fruit spider mite (Panonychus ulmi), which we can meet mainly in the garden on fruit trees and shrubs, and pine spider mite(Oligonychus ununguis), attacking garden conifers.A large number of spider mites and the presence of several generations during the year may make it difficult to fight these pests. However, systematic action and the use of appropriate preparations, immediately after noticing the first feeding symptoms, will ensure good results in combating spider mites.
Hop spider mite - spots on the leaf caused by the feeding of the spider mite
Fig. © Aleksandra Dziugan-Smoleń
Home remedies for spider mites
Witha small number of spider mitesit may be enough to wash the leaves of the affected plant with lukewarm water with a few drops of washing-up liquid.The lower side of the leaf blade can also be smeared with vegetable oil. The oil coversthe body of the spider mitecreates a barrier that restricts air entry, eventually leading to asphyxiation of the pests.
Anotherway to fight spider mitesis to thoroughly spray the lower sides of the leaves with a solution of gray soap and denatured alcohol. To prepare such a preparation, dilute 20 g of soap and 10 ml of denatured alcohol in 1 liter of water. The mixture is thoroughly mixed and sprayed with a hand sprayer. It is very important to thoroughly cover all parts of the plant with liquid.Plant infested with spider mitesafter spraying it is good to wrap it in transparent foil for a few days. Dark gray remnants of spider mites will settle on the foil. This will be a sign that the procedure was successful.
Hop spider mite - adults and small eggs
A good anti-spider mite effectcan be achieved by using an easy-to-prepare home-made garlic clove extract or onion husk extract.It is not only deadly for spider mites, but also prevents their re-invasion. The smell of garlic and onion has a deterrent effect on the spider mites.
To preparegarlic extract against spider mitespour 1 liter of cold water over the finely chopped garlic cloves (approx. 25 g) and set aside for 12-14 hours. After this time, we strain the solution, dilute with water in a ratio of 1: 1 and spray it on the plant. We use the extract within 24 hours, because then it loses its properties. The treatment should be repeated after 21 days to make sure that the pests do not come back.
In a similar way, prepare and applyonion husk extractIn this case, use 20g of dry Onion husks to pour 1 liter of water and set aside for 3 days. We use without dilution. It is worth using these preparations interchangeably - once with garlic and once with onion.
Good to know!In order to prevent the appearance of spider mites at home, which takes place especially in winter, we should ensure greater air humidity in the apartment, e.g. by frequent sprinkling of plants.
Biological control of spider mites
With numerousspider mite infestationhome remedies for spider mites may not be enough. In this case, we use biological preparations available on the market that contain predatory mites that are natural enemies of spider mites that attack our plants.
Such a preparation is, for example, SPIDEX 2000, which contains greenhouse phytosei (Phytoseiulus persimilis)?the natural enemy of the hop spider miteSpread the preparation on the leaves, trying to increase the humidity in the vicinity of the plant and ensure the temperature of approx. 20 ° C.The spider mites killed by the benefactorwill be visible as dark spots on the leaves. We repeat the treatment after 7 days.
Note!After opening, SPIDEX can only be stored for 24 hours due to the short life span of mites. In practice, therefore, we have to use the entire packaging right away.
Unfortunately, the purchase of this product for small home cultivation will not be profitable. Prices start from PLN 85 upwards, and the smallest package contains as many as 2,000 pieces of greenhouse benefactor. This amount is difficult to use in one day. However, if we have larger greenhouse crops, it is worth using this biological methodof combating the spider mite , thus avoiding the use of chemicals.
Spider mite - biological control with SPIDEX. Photo Koppert
Chemical control of spider mites
As a last resort, against spider mites, you can usechemical spider mitesIn the case of growing a small number of plants in the apartment, deciding to chemically control spider mites, you can reach for the agentPolysect Ultra Hobby ALavailable as a ready-to-use preparation in a small spray bottle.Plants infested with spider mites should be sprayed very thoroughly, and after 7-10 days the spraying should be repeated. a concentrate that dissolves in water and sprinkles the plants with the prepared liquid. We can use such agents as: Polysect 005 SL, Magus 200 SC, Karate Zeon 050 CS and Ortus 05 SC.
In the case of controlling spider mites in the garden, it is also worth spraying with a preparation containing paraffin oil in the early spring in order todestruction of wintering spider mite eggsFor this purpose, use Promanal 60 EC and Treol 770 EC.
MSc Eng. Agnieszka Lach
