Description:
These are members of the Tetranychidae Family,
the most common household variety is the
Red Spider mite of which the male is red
and the female can be green, black or yellow.
Detection:
These are tiny spiders with bristly backs
hardly visible with the naked eye, however
alike most spiders they spin small webs on
the bottom of leaves, between leaves, over
flower buds and between forks of the plant
which are clearly visible. Small yellow or
brown spots (stipples) may also appear on
the tops of the leaves. A severe infestation
will give the plant a dusty look, the leaves
will eventually turn a rusty red color before
dropping off. For early detection, it’s worth
while placing a piece of white paper under
the plant or a single leaf and then tapping
it. The small mites (about the size of fine
sand) are easy to see on the white background
as they try to crawl around.
Control:
a) If small number of plants are affected;
Spider mites dislike humidity
so misting
the plant regularly will decrease
their reproductive
rate. Adding a little insecticidal
soap and
methylated spirits to the water
in your mister
will also aid in the battle against
this
most persistent pest. Remove
the webs and
the spider mites by washing the
plant in
soapy tepid water, paying particular
attention
to the underside of all the leaves.
Repeat
the treatment every 3 to 4 days
to ensure
its success. For tough plants,
a forceful
jet of water can be used to rinse.
Washing
will not always remove all the
eggs so repeat
on a weekly basis until the plant
is clear.
For severe infestations spraying
the plant
with acephate or hexakis may
be of some help
but in order to prevent the contamination
of any other plants, it is best,
frankly,
to destroy the plant.
b) If large number of plants is affected:
OPTION 1:Non Chemical management:
- Keep plants healthy to increase pest tolerance.
- Predaceous mites and insects such as ladybird
beetles may naturally control
spider mite
levels. Avoid use of broad-spectrum
insecticides
that kill these natural predators.
- Switch to slow-release or lower-nitrogen
fertilizers. High levels of
nitrogen in the
leaves can increase spider
mite reproduction
rates.
- Wash spider mites from plants with a strong
stream of water.
OPTION 2: Chemical management:
Apply to control the immature crawler stage,
usually in late spring to early
summer.
- Ortho Isotox Insect Killer Formula IV
- Ortho RosePride Orthenex Insect & Disease
Control 1
- Safer Insecticidal Soap Concentrate
- This list may not include all products registered
for this use.
Active ingredient table for the above listed
products:
