Spider Mites on Indoor Plants: Prevention and Treatment

Spider mites are common pests among arachnids that infest indoor plants. Many gardeners consider these pests to be insects. This leads to ineffective prevention and control methods. By studying the behavior and life cycle of spider mites, we see how they infiltrate homes. They are very small, 0.5-1 mm. You can only notice them after plants suffer from widespread infestation.

Characteristics and Behavior

Spider mites are well-adapted to parasitic conditions. They often have a color like the plant they live on. They appear in shades of green, bright red, orange, gray, or dark brown. Gardeners usually notice the pest when its colony becomes many. In the early stages, the parasite hides under leaves or in soil pores. This is especially true if the plant has a well-branched, shallow root system.

Damage Inflicted on Indoor Plants

Both adult spider mites and larvae harm indoor plants. Despite their small body size, these pests have powerful mouthparts. They puncture the leaf or stem surface and extract cell sap. Active colony reproduction makes the damage noticeable to the plant. This leads to loss of turgor (elasticity and resilience) and stunted growth. The mites thrive in dry air and high temperatures.

Detecting Spider Mites on Your Indoor Plants

Signs of Spider Mite Presence

• Many clusters of small white or light-yellow spots in areas of plant infestation.

• Small crumbs cling to the inner leaves.

• In the early stages of infestation, leaves remain green but wilt and dry out.

• Mass infestation is evident with yellowing leaves and the presence of fine webs.

Inexperienced gardeners might think spider mites are recognizable by their webbing. But, this webbing is atypical, not serving as a method of attachment and movement like that of spiders.

Webbing as a Sign of Infestation

Mites make the webs from secretions. They build up in large amounts as the colony grows. If a gardener notices webs on a plant, this means the flower is dead. The parasites have infested it for a long time and .

Diversity of Spider Mites

In nature, there are about 1300 species of spider mites. Up to 300 of them can parasitize indoor plants. These pests can be generalists or specialists. Specialists only affect specific plant families.

Types of Spider Mites

Which types of spider mites are most encountered in domestic settings?

Common Spider Mite

The common spider mite ranks among the most aggressive pests of potted plants. Its body is semi-transparent and light. This makes it visible only under a microscope on leaves.

Red Spider Mite

Many gardeners know the red spider mite well. It is often found on citrus plants, orchids, cacti, and succulents. Most species are active in warm seasons. But, this pest is active in the seasons between them. It experiences two reproduction peaks towards late autumn and early spring.

False Spider Mite

The false spider mite boasts the smallest size, with the adult’s body length not exceeding 0.25 mm. Spotting such a parasite with the naked eye is impossible. But, if leaves dry and fall , we may suspect an invasion.

Cyclamen Mite

This spider mite is a specialized parasite found on cyclamen plants. Unlike others, it hides not under leaves but within buds and shoots. Young leaves unfurl weak, shriveled, and buds drop before blooming.

Broad Mite

The broad mite lays its eggs in the soil, particularly at the junction of the plant stem and root. Another distinction is the presence of toxins in its saliva. Apart from sucking cell sap, the mite induces tissue necrosis. Leaves in affected areas become wrinkled and bumpy, losing their ability to photosynthesize.

Plants at Risk

Spider mites are very diverse. They parasitize most indoor or greenhouse plants. But, many mite species attack some plants at once. This makes them vulnerable to infestation.

Red Spider Mite’s Preferred Plants

The red spider mite is common on indoor lemons. It also infests mini-roses, various orchids, cacti, and azaleas. Both red and Atlantic spider mites are sensitive to moisture. This is important to note. In dry indoor conditions, these pests cannot survive. Tropical and subtropical plants need high humidity. Hence, they are at risk.

Indoor lemons are at risk. Other decorative citrus plants are at risk. These include dwarf mandarins, citron, calamondin, and citrofortunella. Spider mites infest many beautiful flowering plants. These include passionflowers, begonias, violets, gynura, gerberas, geraniums, and chrysanthemums. They often settle on ficus, impatiens, and palms as well.

Preventing Spider Mites on Indoor Plants

To stop pests on indoor plants, study how they get in. The most common method is through purchasing new specimens from stores. Acquaintances pose even greater risks if they give you the plant. Such plants need a 10-day quarantine. Keep them away from other houseplants. During this time, they must watch their leaves and buds.

If a gardener lives on the first to third floor, pests are often carried in with airflow from wild trees and shrubs. Balcony plants, especially flowering ones, are particularly susceptible. The only fix is to inspect every week. Then, start controls .

Another way pests can spread is through old soil. This soil, for example, is from a repotted plant. Female spider mites lay eggs in the top layer of substrate. These eggs can remain in a state of dormancy for up to 5 years, enduring low temperatures. Hence, soil brought in from outside is also dangerous.

Simple Prevention Methods for Spider Mite Infestation:

• Regularly inspect indoor plants.

• Place new specimens in quarantine upon arrival.

• Always use new soil for planting.

• Avoid excessive substrate and air humidity.

• Perform preventive spraying with non-aggressive solutions.

• Periodically give plants a “shower day,” rinsing all leaves with warm running water.