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A few suggestions for how to get rid of spider mites.

December 18th, 2009 • Related • Filed Under

Spider mites have been a nuisance to many an experienced grower. What are they and how to get rid of spider mites are two common questions when finding that your plants have been infested by these parasites. This blog post gives a brief outline of what spider mites are, and a few (of many) ways of how to get rid of spider mites such as by using predator mites or by using a fogger.

What are Spider Mites?

Spider mites are members of the Acari (mite) family Tetranychidae, which includes about 1600 species. They generally live on the under sides of plants, where they may spin protective silk webs, and they can cause damage by puncturing the plant cells to feed. Spider mites are known to feed on several hundred species of plant.

Spider mites are less than 1 mm in size and vary in color. They lay small, spherical, initially transparent eggs and many species spin silk webbing to help protect the colony from predators; they get the ‘spider’ part of their common name from this webbing. Hot, dry conditions are often associated with population build-up of spider mites. Under optimal conditions (approximately 80ºF), the two-spotted spider mite can hatch in as little as 3 days, and become sexually mature in as little as 5 days. One female can lay up to 20 eggs per day and can live for 2 to 4 weeks, laying hundreds of eggs. A single mature female can spawn a population of a million mites in a month or less. This accelerated reproductive rate allows spider mite populations to adapt quickly to resist pesticides, so chemical control methods can become somewhat ineffectual when the same pesticide is used over a prolonged period.

How to get rid of Spider Mites using pesticides.

Chemical control of spider mites generally involves pesticides that are specifically developed for spider mite control (miticides or acaricides). Attain TR Micro Total Release Insectide/Miticide is a ready-to-use, ultra low volume insecticide fogger that controls a wide variety of greenhouse insect pests, including mites. Labeled for use in greenhouses on bedding plants, cut flowers, flowering hanging baskets, foliage, potted flowering plants and ornamentals. Caution recommended. Bifenthrin 4.0%

Another effective fogger is Doktor Doom. The active ingredient, pyrethrin, is derived from chrysanthemums and proven to successfully destroy spider mites, aphids, white-flies, fungus gnats, and more. This fogger is safe for use in greenhouses and indoor gardens, around all plants including fruits, vegetables, and ornamentals.

How to get rid of spider mites with predators.

Predator Mites are one way of how to get rid of spider mites. Predator Mites not only feed on Spider Mites and their eggs, they also breed twice as fast! Each Predator Mite sucks the juice out of about 5 Spider Mites a day, or 20 of their eggs. Used as directed, predators should noticeably begin to gain control within 4 weeks, and then continue until the Spider Mites are nearly or completely wiped out. Predators disappear when the Spider Mites are gone. Many experienced growers introduce predator mites before they have a problem in an area that is known to host to infestations. To wipe out an infestation a recommended ratios is 1000 predators to 50 sq. ft. ( or more – never hurts to have too many.)

Spider Mite Destroyers are another way to combat Spider Mites. These tiny Mite Destroyers eat Spider Mites at all stages of their growth. Spider Detroyer Mites also find new infestation sites on their own by flying. It takes approximately 4-6 weeks to get Spider Mite Destroyers working effectively, so it is recommended to use Predator Mites for more immediate control and for cleaning up small “trouble spots”. Life cycle takes 18 days at 70 F. 100 Spider Mite Destroyers will get a colony started.

Another predatory used for getting rid of spider mites is the pirate bug. Mainly for use against Thrips, Aphids, and Mites. The newest Thrips control, Pirate Bugs also eat Spider Mites, insect eggs, aphids, and small caterpillars. These are shipped from suppliers as nymphs near hatching or adults ready to use. To be most effective use 100-2000 Pirate Bugs per acre, depending on rate of infestation. Although somewhat expensive, they’re good for infestations when other controls alone aren’t adequate.

To be thorough and extremely effective it is recommended to use a “Triple Threat” approach. The triple threat approach uses all three predators in conjunction with each other.