Have you recently noticed dozens of tiny red spots on the leaves of your indoor plant? We hate to break it to you, but those red dots are probably spider mites. Plants have much to contend with as they grow, and insects are one of their main concerns. Discover how to kill spider mites on indoor and outdoor plants and stop a mite infestation.
Pests, like spider mites, destroy plant leaves and stems. This spider mite damage weakens the plant, stunting its growth. If a spider mite infestation continues, the plant may even die. They spread from plant to plant and affect landscape plants, garden plants, and houseplants.
It’s essential to take action immediately to stop mite outbreaks. Luckily, spider mite control methods keep the mite population in check. They include everything from Neem oil, diatomaceous earth, and other natural remedies to commercial insecticides. The key is eliminating the pest when you spot spider mite activity.

- Ways to Eliminate Spider Mites
- What Are Spider Mites?
- Signs of a Spider Mite Infestation
- Natural Ways to Kill Spider Mites
- How to Kill Spider Mites With Rubbing Alcohol
- Kill Spider Mites With Diatomaceous Earth
- Get Rid of Outdoor Spider Mites With Water
- Kill Spider Mites With Insecticidal Soap
- Eliminate Spider Mites With Horticultural Oil
- Introduce Natural Predators to Eliminate Spider Mites
- Kill Spider Mites With Neem Oil
- Eliminate Spider Mites With Essential Oils
- Grow Plants That Spider Mites Hate
- Killing Spider Mites With a Chemical Pesticide
- Which Plants Do Spider Mites Affect?
- What Causes Spider Mites?
- Are There Ways to Prevent Spider Mites?
Ways to Eliminate Spider Mites
Nothing is worse to a plant-lover than a spider mite outbreak on their beloved plant. The red spider mite multiplies quickly, and it’s not long before you have an infested plant. Find out how to eliminate these pests and save your indoor and outside plants.
What Are Spider Mites?
The spider mite is not actually an insect. Instead, it’s related to spiders and ticks. Learn more about this pest and its habits to determine which spider mite species your plant has and how to identify them.
The Spider Mite
Spider mites are about the size of a grain of pepper, ranging from green and brown to red, yellow, and orange. They have two body parts and eight legs, and there are different spider mite species.
The predatory mite is shiny with a pear-shaped body, and its long legs enable it to move faster than a spider mite. Predator mites are natural enemies of spider mites, feeding on pollen and small arthropod prey.
According to Integrated Pest Management, the southern red mite, twospotted spider mite, and spruce spider mite are common spider mites that destroy plants and trees. They feed off the minerals in the plant cells as they eat the undersides of leaves. Southern spider mites are dark red. Spruce mites are almost black and generally brown or orange-red with two spots.
Female spider mites may lay up to 100 eggs during dry, hot weather. After hatching, spider mites can lay eggs in as little as three days. With the right conditions, adult mites live for two to four weeks.
Signs of a Spider Mite Infestation
Since a spider mite is so tiny, how can you possibly tell if you have a spider mite problem? Plants suffer from various conditions, and sometimes it’s hard to find the cause. Spider mites leave tell-tale signs in their wake; it’s easy to determine if you have an infestation.
The first indications of spider mites are small white or yellow spots on the top of the leaves. The plant suffers chlorophyll loss as the pests feed on the plant, resulting in leaf spots. Tiny red or brown specks or dots on the leaves require further inspection since they may be mites.
Grab a sheet of white paper if you’re unsure whether your plant has spider mites. Hold the paper beneath the plant and tap the leaf several times. If tiny red dots cover the sheet, you probably have a mite problem.
Webbing is another sign of spider mites. Clusters of silk webs around the stems and leaves mean your plant may have an infestation. Too much spider mite activity eventually causes the plant to look unhealthy.
Natural Ways to Kill Spider Mites
Killing spider mites with chemicals is the quickest and easiest way to go. Nevertheless, chemical insecticides are not healthy for you or the environment. The good news is nature provides us with pest control treatments that are acceptable for use around children and pets.
Several natural remedies get rid of spider mites; some are more effective than others. Water is the easiest; you must spray the plant daily for optimal results.
In contrast, you only need to apply Neem oil, diatomaceous earth, horticultural oil, or insecticidal soap once or twice for effectiveness. Essential oils are excellent for killing spider mites while keeping them from returning.
How to Kill Spider Mites With Rubbing Alcohol
Rubbing alcohol kills spider mites and eggs. It dries out the protective coating on their exoskeleton, causing death within a few hours. It’s important to note that over-spraying the alcohol may damage plant roots.
Pour four cups of water into a spray bottle, and add one cup of rubbing alcohol that contains 70 percent isopropyl alcohol. Do not use stronger alcohol, which may damage the plant. Spray the liquid directly on the leaves.
Only spray the leaves, and do not apply the solution to the soil, which causes root dehydration. After a couple of hours, wipe the top and bottom of the leaves to remove dead bugs and eggs.
Kill Spider Mites With Diatomaceous Earth
Diatomaceous earth works like rubbing alcohol. It damages the spider mite’s exoskeleton, causing dehydration and death. Unlike alcohol, it is safe to apply to soil and does not damage roots.
Pour food-grade diatomaceous earth into a jar, and poke holes in the lid. Put on a face mask to keep from inhaling the dust, and shake the jar of DE powder over the entire plant and soil.
If you prefer a DE spray, combine four tablespoons of diatomaceous earth (DE) with a gallon of water and pour it into a bottle sprayer. Spray the bugs directly, and they dehydrate and die after the liquid dries.
Get Rid of Outdoor Spider Mites With Water
Water is the most straightforward tool for killing spider mites outside. This method is ideal for keeping the pests at bay without insecticides, and the plants enjoy the daily drink. However, it may be too harsh for young or delicate plants.
Water-Spraying Spider Mites
The best time to water your outdoor plant is in the morning. Use a garden hose with a strong stream to blast spider mites off the plants. Begin at the top of the plant and spray all the leaves and stems until you reach the bottom. Do this daily until all evidence of bugs is gone.
Kill Spider Mites With Insecticidal Soap
Insecticidal soap is one of our favorite natural ways to kill spider mites. The soapy solution kills the pests on contact, and the soap residue prevents new bugs from invading for a month or longer.
Combine liquid soap and vegetable oil with a gallon of distilled water in a gallon-sized container. Shake the container well to mix, and pour the liquid into a spray bottle. Store the remaining insecticidal soap in a secure place for future use.
Spray the infected plant thoroughly with the homemade insecticide and leave it for 15 minutes. Avoid applying the soap when the sun is hot to stop leaf burning. Rinse away the soapy residue with a garden hose.
Eliminate Spider Mites With Horticultural Oil
Horticultural oil is sold at many garden centers and online. It’s a lightweight oil, labeled as a pesticide, and is usually petroleum or vegetable based. It’s safe for use around humans and pets, but some oils are toxic to bees.
Follow the directions for your horticultural oil brand. Horticultural sprays are in concentrated form and require dilution with water before application. Spray the liquid on the tops and undersides of the plant’s leaves and stems, and branches. Do not spray plant buds or blooms because the oil may harm them.
Introduce Natural Predators to Eliminate Spider Mites
Another great way to kill spider mites naturally is to introduce predators. While the term predator sounds intimidating, predators are beneficial for controlling pests. They do all the work for you and do not harm the environment.
Predator mites are excellent for eliminating spider mites. Found in shaker bottles, all you have to do is shake them over the infested plants. They eradicate the bugs and prevent them from returning.
Ladybugs, lacewings, and minute pirate bugs are also good predator options. They consume the spider mites and help control aphids, thrips, and other pests.
Kill Spider Mites With Neem Oil
Neem oil is a popular home remedy for eliminating insects. It’s a naturally occurring pesticide that comes from the seeds of the Neem tree, and it’s effective at getting rid of everything from the aphid and Japanese beetle larvae to the mealy bug and spider mite.
Combine one gallon of distilled water with one teaspoon of liquid soap and two tablespoons of Neem oil in a storage container. Shake the bottle well to mix, and pour the solution into a spray bottle. Spray all parts of the plant. Reapply the Neem oil liquid once a week until the spider mites are gone.
Eliminate Spider Mites With Essential Oils
Various essential oils work as spider mite killers and repellents. The strong odor keeps the pests away, and the oil kills them on contact. We find that rosemary, coriander, spearmint, and chamomile work the best.
Fill a glass spray bottle with a liter of water and add one teaspoon of liquid soap and three teaspoons of coriander, rosemary, spearmint, or chamomile essential oil. Shake the container well and spray the repellent over all indoor or outdoor plants.
Grow Plants That Spider Mites Hate
Instead of wasting your time fighting to keep spider mite populations under control, why not grow plants they hate? Many indoor and outdoor plants repel spider mites and are a great complement to the home and garden. In addition, they keep pests from attacking vulnerable plants.
Spider mites avoid onions, garlic, and chives due to their strong scent. They also hate the smell of dill, parsley, rosemary, and peppermint. Rhubarb leaves contain oxalic acid, a toxic substance that is as poisonous to spider mites as it is to humans.
If you enjoy growing flowers, the Shasta daisy is a great addition to the garden. It draws beneficial insects and spider mite predators. Chrysanthemums have pyrethrin in their flower heads, a natural insect repellent.
Killing Spider Mites With a Chemical Pesticide
Chemical pesticides are an alternative if you don’t have the time or patience to use natural ways to kill spider mites. Reading the product label beforehand is crucial to ensure it’s designed to kill mites and is safe for your environment.
Commercial Spider Mite Killers
Check the product ingredients when trying to decide which chemical pesticide to use. For example, a pyrethroid pesticide is the best type for minor spider mite infections. It’s derived from chrysanthemum flowers and is still considered a chemical.
Follow the directions for your pesticide brand and apply it accordingly. Keep in mind that chemical treatments are toxic to humans and pets.
Spider mites quickly develop insecticide tolerance, and you may need something stronger for a severe outbreak. Those that contain malathion, cyfluthrin, bifenthrin, and kelthane are highly effective at killing spider mites. These chemicals are reserved for severe infestations and only when other methods fail.
Which Plants Do Spider Mites Affect?
Some plants are more susceptible to spider mite damage than others. In fact, mites favor certain plants over others. Find out which plants attract spider mites the most to give yourself a head start on pest control.
Spider mites love vegetable and berry plants and devour everything from cucumber, lettuce, and eggplant to blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries. They also seek hibiscus, bird of paradise, jasmine, primrose, gardenias, and other outdoor flowering plants.
Spider mites attack the burning bush shrub, boxwood, spruce, juniper, arborvitae, pine, Douglas-fir, and hemlock trees. Some of spider mite’s favorite houseplants include cast iron, prayer, parlor palm, and elephant ear plant.
What Causes Spider Mites?
Spider mites are typical for various plants, from spruce trees to indoor palm plants. But what causes a spider mite infestation?
Spider Mite Causes
Spider mites thrive in hot, dry weather, usually when the temperature is above 80°F. You often notice their activity outdoors between July and September and indoors during winter. The spruce spider mite is an exception and is active during the cool spring and fall weather. Once the host plant is no longer viable, the female mites catch wind currents and travel to new plants.
Are There Ways to Prevent Spider Mites?
It’s always better to stop a problem before it occurs. Knowing how to deter these pests keep your plants healthy, strong, and beautiful.
Spider Mite Prevention
When possible, take your own plant cuttings. Other people’s cutting may carry spider mites, and it’s better to be safe than sorry. Always thoroughly inspect a new plant before purchasing it or bringing it into your home. Check for signs of spider mites and treat the plant before placing it near other houseplants.
If you have plants that you move outside seasonally, check the leaves, stems, and soil for insects before bringing them inside during the cold months. In addition, inspect all indoor and outdoor plants regularly for spider mite signs. If you discover spider mites, isolate the plant, and treat it until all the pests are gone.
While predatory mites are beneficial insects, other mites like twospotted spider mites cause havoc to plants. Their activity weakens the affected plant, and mite control is essential to stop an infestation.
As destructive as spider mites are, keeping a spider mite population in check is possible. Apply Neem oil, rubbing alcohol, insecticidal soap, or diatomaceous earth, and watch as your plant springs back to good health.

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