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I would like information for how to get rid of spider mites naturally on my houseplants.
Hardiness Zone: 1
By anita from Quebec, Canada
I always use white vinegar and water. That seems to do the trick without damaging your plants. Use 1/4 white vinegar to 3/4 water. Spray and let dry in the sun. Do not use this method on African violets, as water damages thier leaves.
Everyone needs to know my eco-tip. I keep a spray bottle of water mixed with about 1/2 oz. of cheap liquid dishsoap. Use to kill garden insects(including your spider mites), roaches, spiders, flies, wasps(if u must), ants, most insects in general. It's amazing. And no poison residue left. It kills within 5-30 secs. depending on the insect... it smothers them by plugging up their breathing holes. For a larger problem, mix the soap with water in a hose-end spray container. Leave spray on plant for about 10 minutes then rinse with plain water to remove soap from any tender leaves esp. if u live in a hot climate.
9:1 water:vinegar mixture works well for plants in a foliar spray. DO NOT place in sunlight. Must be done at night as this mixture will amplify the light rays and burn the plant. Always foliar spray at night. Repeat every 5 to 7 days.
Possible to add 1 tsp baking soda and 3 drops of dish soap to mix to go overboard and kill the eggs by not letting them hatch.
Running under a stream of fast running water will knock the mites off the leaves as well.
Indoor garden with dry and warm climates are sort of magnet to spider mites. If you are growing herbs or vegetables, you should get rid of them without the use of miticide because you do not want a bunch of poison on the stuff you are going to eat. The first thing you should do is to identify that you have a spider mite infestation. Then the next thing to do is to isolate all of the infested plants, but keep them close together as you will protect other plants from getting infested.
I have dust mites in the soil of my pot plants all of a sudden. Why and how do I kill them off without me harming my plants?
There are several things you can try before repotting and some of them may work.
Spray plants with Neem Oil/Insecticidal Soap. These products can be purchased at hardware stores, Walmart, Target, Lowe's, Home Depot and online. They are organic and can be used for many types of bugs/insects that love to get on plants - indoors and outside.
You can also sprinkle diatomaceous earth (DE) on floors and carpeting if you find the mites in any other part of your house. DE (food grade only) can also be purchased at the same type stores. Only buy a small amount as it goes a long way so not much is needed (unless you other house bugs you would like to kill).
Try to keep the temperature inside your house to no higher than 70°F (21°C). This is considered a normal and healthy for humans and dust mites like it warmer than 70.
First, you need to get this plant AWAY from all of your others and check them regularly to make sure they are not infested. Mites spread fast in plants.
Last time I had this issue (I rescued a sick plant and didn't know it had mites) I am one to start with the most basic fix first, which was to put the plant in the shower and give it quick HOT WATER bath.
Put the shower on hot, if you have a mist setting use it, otherwise just hold the plant so it is at the least forceful part of the water hits where the mites are and with a clean rag or sponge that you will toss when this is done-- gently "rub" them off. Depending on the plant size, this can be a two person job.
Then let a quick hot soak go through the soil to kill them there.
Once all the visible mites are off and the soil has been hot watered, let the plant dry in the sun (outside if you can or in a sunny window) or inside in a warm, dry location away from other plants. Keep the plant segregated from the others until you are sure it is mite free.
If you see them again, you can try a second time to repeat the above process. Usually if you catch it early enough, one treatment works.
Toss the rag/sponge used for cleaning and be sure to clean the shower area very well before humans or pets use it.
Hope this works as well for you as it did for me.
Post back with update!
Is there a non-toxic method of getting rid of spider mites on my bird's nest plant?
By Judy
Hi Judy, If you still need a fix for mites, try this. In a clean spray bottle, mix 5ozs. of isopropyl rubbing alcohol with 5ozs. of water. Add 1/8 tsp. of liquid soap (not detergent). Spray all leaves, stems, soil and underside of foliage. Reapply if necessary. It's always worked for me with plants. Good luck!
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Does anyone have a great way to kill spider mites without using harmful sprays or pesticides? This year for some reason my entire herb garden (as well as strawberries) developed spider mites from hell. I have tried soapy water, but they keep coming back.
Desiree from Kent, WA
