I've been struggling with spider mites on my plants for months, and I'm really at my wit's end. I've tried everything from predatory mites to different sprays, but nothing seems to work long-term. The plants sometimes show improvement, but then the mites come back. I don't see webs, just the typical damage on the leaves. Currently, I'm using a mixture of oils and soaps—I'll share the recipe in the comments. I just don't want to lose my collection of 40 plants!
3 Answers
Honestly, I've been where you are and the recipe you're using won't kill spider mites effectively. From my experience, you’ll need to introduce several rounds of predatory mites to make a dent, but it can get expensive. What worked for me was moving my plants outdoors into partial shade; nature took care of the rest! Now my alocasias are thriving without any spider mite issues. Just a tip I've learned: try not to use predatory mites and pesticides at the same time since it can wipe out the good bugs too!
I’m curious why you think the recipe won't work? I've heard mixed things, and I can't put my plants outside either.
Keeping your plants in a high-humidity environment, like a bathroom, has worked wonders for me when treating spider mites. It seemed more effective than any single treatment. Just try to keep the light situation in mind, as it can be a bit tricky in a windowless space.
That’s interesting! I considered the bathroom too, but mine's tiny and dark. Thanks for the suggestion!
If you’re sure you have spider mites, consider spinosad. I’ve had success with it when other remedies have failed. Just make sure to spray weekly and give attention to the undersides of the leaves where they like to hide. I usually take the plant outside to spray it down to avoid any chemical linger indoors. It breaks down quickly, but I’d still recommend wearing a mask when applying.
I hadn't heard of spinosad before—could you share more info or a link? I'd like to learn more about it!
Totally agree! I've found that letting the environment and beneficial insects do their thing is often the best route.