White or yellow specks on leaves, webbing on houseplants, and dropping leaves are all telltale signs of an infestation. Other pests can cause similar issues, so ensure you’re dealing with spider mites before embarking on an eviction campaign. What do spider mites look like? Spider mites are small parasitic insects found in trees, shrubs, and plants. You can spot them by looking at leaves with a magnifying glass. The mites are orange, reddish, green, and 1/9th inch long, and they can be difficult to spot because they blend in well with leaf cover. Fortunately, there are a few simple ways to spot them, and you can get rid of them immediately.
Webbing Around Plants
Spider mites are tiny eight-legged pests that make webs on the underside of plant leaves. They are not noticeable until their numbers start to grow quickly. Signs include yellowing, stippling, and wilted leaves. They can be found on houseplants that are close to a vent. During the winter, their numbers can become a serious problem.
Eggs
When looking for signs of a spider mite infestation, eggs are one of the most common. They are very tiny and cannot be seen by the naked eye. They have eight legs and an oval body. In addition to the egg, spider mites lay a nymph. Once the nymph hatches, it takes only a week for the mite to develop into a fully-grown adult. The larvae grow quickly and will coat plant leaves and stems with webbing.
Larvae
If you’ve noticed the dreaded white specks on the leaves of your plants, you might be dealing with the larvae of spider mites in your house. Although they are small arachnids, they can cause damage to plants, especially roses and African violets. Additionally, they can stunt food crops and cause sunburn.
Nymphs
If you’ve noticed nymphs on your houseplants, this could be a warning sign that your home has a problem with spider mites. While you can’t do anything about the eggs during their diapause phase, you can try to kill the mites by spraying them. If you find them on your houseplants, mist them frequently to keep them moist. A misting spray of neem oil on the leaves of your houseplants can also kill spider mites.
Swarm
If you find a swarm of adult spider mites in your home, you may want to get rid of them as soon as possible. Spider mites are tiny insects, less than 0.04 inches long, and can do a lot of damage to your indoor and outdoor gardens, as well as to your greenhouse plants. While these mites are not true insects, they are relatives of spiders and are difficult to identify without a magnifying glass. Several hundred types of spider mites, some very specific to particular plants, and others are more common in warm climates. Most of them breed during warm weather, so you should be aware of the signs that spider mites may live in your home.
Red Marks On Plants
If you notice clusters of tiny, red pimply marks on your plants, your home may be infested with spider mites. Spider mites are windsurfers and can easily get inside your home. Their webbing allows them to move from one place to another and even fit through small gaps in door and window screens. If you notice spider mites, you should get rid of them as soon as possible to prevent the spread of this pest.
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