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Spider Mite

Easy DIY
Spider Mite

Identification

Microscopic arachnids that cause fine speckled yellowing on leaves and produce delicate webbing on plants during hot, dry conditions.

Can I DIY this?

Easy DIY

You can handle this one yourself.

With the right product and a little patience, most homeowners take care of this pest on their own. Follow the treatment guide, read the product label, and you're set.

Download PDF guide
  1. Look for fine speckling on leaves and delicate webbing, especially during hot, dry weather — that's the telltale sign of spider mites.
  2. Increasing humidity around the plant (misting, grouping plants) can slow them down, since they thrive in dry conditions.
  3. Apply insecticidal soap or horticultural oil, covering the undersides of leaves thoroughly — mites are killed by contact, not residual action.
  4. For heavy infestations, a miticide labeled specifically for spider mites is more effective than a general insecticide.
  5. Reapply every 5-7 days for at least two cycles, since mite eggs aren't killed by most treatments and will keep hatching.

Wear long pants, a long-sleeved shirt, closed-toe shoes with socks, chemical-resistant gloves, and goggles. Add a respirator if the label calls for it or ventilation is poor.