Small spiders on plants

Small spiders - big pests

Anyone who surrounds themselves with plants will at some point become acquainted with pests. Are they small? be crazy, it is mostly the stubborn spider mites. For perfect identification you have to get very close to them, as they only reach a size of about 0.5 millimeters. They show a red, white and predominantly green-yellow color.

Unfortunately, the hungry specimens are often only noticed after they have already caused great damage. The reason for this is the different stages in which they develop. As soon as the adult mites are dead, numerous offspring hatch from the eggs and larvae. In warm temperatures, the development from the clutch to the finished mite takes 16 days or less.

Once the crawlers have attacked your plants, they spread quickly and multiply inexorably. In doing so, they cause great damage: In order to get to the plant sap, the animals suck on the leaves and injure the cells. Soon the tops of the leaves show speckled patterns, turn yellow and wither. Another characteristic of the infestation of the small spiders are fine webs all over the plant. If you do nothing against the attackers, they will suckle your host until his death.

Successfully get rid of the spider mites on plants

Spider mites are most comfortable in a warm and dry environment. If you want to harm them, cool dampness is the first choice of your countermeasures. Shower the infested plants with a strong jet of water. Pay particular attention to the undersides of the leaves, where the pests prefer to hang out. So that the eggs and larvae also disappear, the soil and the root ball should be soaked. After this action you have already wiped out a large part of the little spiders.

The next step is to expose the animals to a humid environment for a longer period of time. To do this, pack the Houseplants with pot individually in a large plastic bag. Make sure that the plants have enough space in the packaging. Before closing the bag, use a spray bottle to spray in enough water to create a thick mist.

If the previous control is not enough and the little spiders reappear, the specialist trade can help. This offers various counter-products that guarantee their effectiveness. These are, for example, insecticides in spray and stick form and based on oil with rapeseed oil. These products are to be used in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.

If you prefer a biological attack, the small predatory mite is the right partner. Spider mites are a treat for the biological enemy and they only disappear when there is no more food available. The use is particularly suitable for the field.

Prevention is better than fighting

There is a lot you can do to keep your plants safe from pesky spiders from visiting. Because only plants with a weak immune system are easy victims.

• Maintain healthy growth.
• Only place plants next to each other that can get along well.
• Do not place them too close to the heater.
• Make sure there is sufficient humidity in the room.
• Attach a water evaporator to the radiator.
• Eliminate small deficiency symptoms as soon as possible.

When fighting the spider, a rapidly effective method should be the first choice. If you wait too long before using it, the possibility of spreading to other plants cannot be ruled out.