Experts: Possible Spider Mites

No, not on my roses but on a few hibs. What do you do to get rid of them?

They hate to be wet. Mist them or spray them. Spider Mites favour a dry place to live so if you keep your plants misted they can't survive.

If you can,Debbie, use some neem oil, that will really get them. two tsp. neem and one dish washing liquid to a gallon of water and spray them early in the morning or late in the evening, anyone else cares to join in helping Debbie get rid of the mites.

Wilfred

Yes..Neem works wonders as well. Just be careful if the plants are in the sun, it could cause burning of the leaves.

If the plant is in a pot it also can be advantageous to tip the pot on its side and spray both the top and underside of the foliage. Spider mites like to hang out underneath the foliage.

ok, good advice but would it make a difference if the plant also has a fungus problem? I tried to pull up some pics to show, but can't for some reason.

Neem oil also helps curing the fungus and prevents it from coming back as long as you spray it once in a while, takes care of two problems at the same time.

Wilfred

I think that's how I'll go then, I have neem oil & have never used it. Now I have your "recipe", I'll start treating right away. Thanks everyone.

what do you think this is? (i'm bracing myself...)

Residual spider mite damage.

I think they are three pretty ugly looking hibiscus leaves :-) Glad to see they are no longer attached to your plants.

what a mess! I'll be dragging the neem oil out again 'cause I don't think it's from old damage, this is new. This isn't what I had before. drats

Agreed, it looks like spider mites. You could spray the plants (top and bottom of the leaves) with just water or using neem oil or Bayer 3 In 1 insect killer. Spray the plants now and then every 5-7 days for a total of 3 or 4 times. The first spraying should kill the adults. You have to repeat the process a few more times to kill the eggs that have hatched into new spider mites. Remember to spray the underside of the foliage and not just the top of the leaves. Most of the spider mites are living on the underside of the leaves as this area provides them protection from the rain.

I have used this for white fly infestation and it works. Follow directions. It's supposed to work for spider mites too.

Mite, bugs, powdery mildew.

1/4 cup Baking Soda
1/2 cup Apple Cider vinegar
1 Tablespoon Lemon Juice
2 drops dish detergent
1/4 Teaspoon Epsom Salts

Take a cup of very hot water and dissolve the epsom salts, take rest of ingredients and place in a clean 2 liter bottle and let work out. Add epsom solution. Add water to fill to 48ozs(3/4 full).Shake well.

TO USE: Cover soil/medium with plastic,with lights off mist plant all over,especialy under leaves,
Wait 20 mins,then spritz off with clean fresh water shaking as much water off plant as you can.
The fresh water spritz rinse will remove the solution along with the desolved remains of the mites and their eggs.

Have fun with your new "Mite Eradicator"

Note by MrFixit: Water plants 1/2 hour before spraying. This will help keep your plants from absorbing the spray.

This solution has been tested and used as directed will not burn plants,the rinse is very important though as it removes the spent solution before it can concentrate and burn the plant. It also removes most of the dead mites and eggs so you don't end up eating them.

The formula can be diluted further,to 1 liter and it will still kill the mites but isn't as effective at dissolving and removing the mite parts.
Since removing the mite debris is desirable,I recommend the stronger solution,just remember to rinse and shake.
This formula is alkaline(about 7.8-8) so please remember to rinse.

I've been experimenting with hair spray for mites. It sort of seals them in and kills them almost automatically. I get them on my tomatoes, so look for mite control that won't be toxic. I tried fine mist hairspray on my mint when it first got mites this year, and seemed to work.