Spider Mite: A Threat to Plants and Ways to Combat It
The spider mite is a tiny insect-like arthropod that feeds on plant sap. Its size usually ranges from 0.3 to 0.5 mm, making it difficult to detect with the naked eye. It is commonly found on garden plants, houseplants, and agricultural crops.
Signs of Infestation
Spider mites extract sap from leaves, leading to the following symptoms:
• Appearance of light spots on the leaves;
• Formation of fine webbing on the underside of leaves and between stems;
• Drying, yellowing, and falling of leaves.
Causes of Infestation
- Low humidity and the absence of natural predators (such as predatory mites) contribute to their rapid reproduction.
- Infected seedlings are one of the possible causes of a spider mite infestation.
- Clothing, shoes, or an open window (in a greenhouse or indoor environment) can be sources of contamination.
- The pest may be present in the soil, especially if it was taken from outside or was poorly sterilized.
- If a plant is sick, lacks essential nutrients, or undergoes stress (such as sudden changes in environmental conditions), it becomes more vulnerable to spider mites.
Methods of Control
Prevention
- Maintain high air humidity.
• Regularly inspect plants, especially the undersides of leaves.
• Remove infested plant parts in a timely manner.
Home Remedies
- Washing plants with warm soapy water or a weak alcohol solution.
- Increasing humidity – spider mites do not tolerate high humidity well, so regular misting helps prevent their spread.
- Treating plants with garlic, onion, soap, or tobacco infusions.
Biological Methods
- Introducing predatory mites or ladybugs that feed on spider mites.
- Using the microbiological insecticide Prestige Plus (spraying at a rate of 200 ml per 10 liters of water every 5-7 days).
- Enhancing plant immunity and disease resistance by applying biological products such as Plantastim and Sporagin.
Spider mites are dangerous pests, but with proper care and timely intervention, they can be effectively controlled.
