Spider Mites

Recognize the signs

Plant signs

Fine pale stippling can become bronzing or leaf loss. Fine silk with tiny moving mites is useful evidence, but early infestations may have little webbing.

Mites

Adult mites have eight legs and are much smaller than most garden insects; use magnification. Colour alone is unreliable.

Look more closely

Compare the labeled examples and their limits. Images are independently enlarged, not shown at a common scale.

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Differences that change the decision

A similar-looking organism can need a different response. Compare the evidence and what it changes.

Compare every column. On a narrow screen, scroll the table sideways.

What else could it be?

Thrips or leafhopper feeding

These can also cause pale specks or silvering; look for the insects themselves.

Compare thrips ↗

Drought, nutrient or root stress

Discolouration can occur without mites, and stressed plants may have both problems.

Compare plant disease & stress ↗

Ordinary spider silk

A web alone, without mite colonies and feeding injury, does not establish spider mites.

Compare spiders ↗

Inspect the right places

1. Check the leaf underside

   Hold white paper beneath a symptomatic leaf and tap gently; examine moving specks with a lens, then inspect the leaf for eggs and silk.

2. Map the pattern

   Compare dusty edges, hot walls and dry containers with less exposed plants. Record irrigation problems as well as pest presence.

Choose a proportionate response

For pesticides, the local product label determines the allowed pest, site, precautions and timing. Check safety and regional guidance.

1. Restore appropriate water conditions

   Check root-zone moisture and irrigation delivery instead of simply watering more. Prevent dusty traffic beside vulnerable plants.

2. Wash sturdy plants

   A directed water stream can reduce reachable mites on suitable plants, including undersides. Reinspect rather than assuming one wash reaches all stages.

3. Preserve predators and choose products carefully

   Avoid broad insecticides that can trigger mite outbreaks. If continuing damage warrants treatment, select a locally permitted plant-labelled option and obey heat, drought, plant-sensitivity and repeat-use restrictions.

Avoid these mistakes

• Do not assume any insecticide will control mites.
• Do not apply oils or soaps to stressed plants or in prohibited heat conditions.
• Do not spray all plants because one leaf has webbing.

Check whether it is working

Prevent a return

• Inspect incoming plants and water according to the species and root zone.
• Limit dust and conserve predators by avoiding routine broad insecticide applications.

Common questions