What are Red Spider Mites and How to get rid of them naturally?
Red Spider Mites
Red spider mites are a garden pest that infects a wide range of plants, but azaleas and camellias are the most usually affected, they are not harmful to humans.
When you have a red spider mite infestation, you’ll see them all over the plant, and it’s critical to get rid of them before the plant is irreversibly destroyed. The European red spider mite and the Southern red spider mite are two different types of red spider mites. The Southern red spider mite is the most prevalent and are also called a residential pest.
The European spider mite mostly infects apple trees, whereas the Southern spider mite attacks a far broader range of plants.
A spider mite is an arachnid that is related to spiders but is smaller and has only one body portion (where spiders have two). Let’s have a look at how to get rid of red spider mites naturally.
Identifying Red Spider Mites
When a plant is plagued with red spider mites, it begins to look unhealthy and the undersides of its leaves get dusty. If you look closely, you’ll notice that the dust is actually moving and is made up of spider mites. Webbing on the bottom or on the limbs of the plant is also possible.
The features of red spider mites are difficult to see with the human eye, but a magnifying glass can help you see them better. A red spider mite is completely crimson. There are some spider mites that are partially red, such as the two-spotted spider mite.
How to Get Rid of Red Spider Mites?
It’s crucial to notice spider mites on crops early on to avoid a full-blown pest infestation, which is much more difficult to remove. Using organic ways is safer for everyone. Plants, pets and also people feel safe if we use organic ways.
Spray with water
Create a gentle pest control spray with a nozzle linked to a garden hose to remove the web and as many bugs as feasible. Ensure to get the leaves’ undersides. This also eliminates dirt from the plants, which mites like to hide in.
Homemade remedies
You can create insecticidal soap at home. 1 litre of water + 1 tbsp of light washing up liquid, such as Castile or Ivory To apply, use a sprayer. Additional natural medications include garlic, peppers (capsaicin), mint, and rosemary.
Neem oil
It is a natural product that we get from the neem tree and It’s a universal insect repellent that suffocates spider mites if we applied it. This is indeed a longer-lasting solution that is frequently used following an insecticidal soap application. Try to keep it away from pets and children. Use only instructed amount of oil.
Use insecticidal soap
Give enough time for the plants to dry and use organic insecticidal soap. Spray early in the morning or late at night, and minimize use when the temperature is above 90 degrees F. To interrupt the eggs hatching phase, reapply every 7-10 days.
Use other bugs
Natural pest management is provided by beneficial insects that feast on spider mites. Ladybugs, predatory mites, lacewings, and spider mite destroyers are among them. People, pets, and plants will not be hurt by these insects. This method is by far the most successful if you could get the good bugs as eggs (adults will generally just fly away).
These are the few methods you can do it by yourself and get rid of spider mites naturally. If the condition is worst, you hire a pest control professional to sweep them away from your home.