How To Get Rid of Spider Mites Naturally? 15 Natural Ways

Among the many insects that infect plants, spider mites are one of them. These spiders are usually found under leaves, spinning‌ ‌protective‌ ‌silk‌ ‌webs. When they feed on plants, they puncture their cells to damage them. They build webs over leaves that are incredibly fine and dense.

Wondering how to get rid of spider mites on plants naturally?

To get rid of spider mites on plants you need to use rubbing alcohol or homemade insecticide. However, try to mix 5 ml of rubbing alcohol with 15 ml of water and wash the plant with the solution. If you are still not satisfied then follow our steps to get rid of spider mites naturally.

By following these 15 simple steps you can kill the spider mites on plants.

1. Submerge the Plant in Water
2. Prune and Discard the Infested Leaves
3. Natural Predators of Spider Mites
4. Use Plant-based Miticides
5. Use Essential Oils
6. Use Diatomaceous Earth
7. Botanical Pyrethrums
8. Companion Planting
9. Insecticidal Soap
10. Physical Cleansing
11. Isolation
12. Herbal Tea
13. Organic Salts
14. Lemon Juice
15. Pepper

Although spider mite removal isn’t always easy, you can do it when you know the correct method. However, we always prefer natural ways to get rid of spider mites on plants instead of chemicals.

So, why the natural solution is better? Because it is effective and completely safe. In this post, we will share tip-top natural ways to get rid of spider mites on plants. Let’s jump on!

If you are curious about the Best Insecticide For Indoor Plants, check our latest article.

How to Identify Spider Mites on Plants?

Before knowing natural ways to get rid of spider mites on plants, it is essential to know how to identify spider mites on plants.

Good spider mite detection is the key to killing spider mites effectively. Look at the plant to detect spider mites. These three symptoms most commonly identify spider mites:

1. The leaves of your plant have yellow, tan, or white spots.
2. Movement of red or white spots on the leaves of the plant.
3. The underside of leaves is covered in white tufts of cotton.

Where do Spider Mites Come From?

Windsurfers, spider mites navigate across large areas with their web while riding ‌the breeze. They can pass through screens on windows and doors due to their mobility and tiny size.

Additionally, they may come from your local nurseries through your shoes or clothes while giving a visit to the nursery.

Your dog or cat may carry these insects into your garden and home if they often go inside and outside. It is possible guests may unknowingly bring them to your house or garden.

Are you willing to know, how to get rid of spider mites in soil? Check our latest article.

How To Get Rid of Spider Mites Naturally? 15 Natural Ways

There are several natural ways to get rid of spider mites on plants.

1. Submerge the Plant in Water

Plants in smaller to medium containers may be able to benefit from this technique. After removing the plant from its container pot, soak it in a bucket of water. Keep the pot submerged for around 30 seconds.

Hold the plant firmly but not too tightly. Doing so may cause the stems to be crushed. It may not be possible to submerge heavy and oversized plants. In that case, you will spray water on the infected leaves and areas to get rid of spider mites on plants.

2. Prune and Discard the Infected Leaves

Making this decision isn’t easy, especially for the plants you have devoted many hours to maintain. However, parts of the plant that cannot be saved may need to be pruned.

To prevent spider mites from spreading further, discard the pruned leaves as soon as possible. There are instances when the plant must be discarded in its entirety.

3. Natural Predators of Spider Mites

Spider mites can be controlled with great success by Feltiella acarisuga, a natural insect predator. Globally, these predatory gall midges can be found; only Neotropical regions are exempt.

It‌ ‌has‌ ‌displayed so much success that it was reared for biological control in the late 1990s. Pest control for greenhouse crops has been a great success.

Adult Feltiella measures just 2 mm, about the same size as their prey. The insect looks like it has long and folded wings.

The easiest way to observe them is when they are in their larval or maggot stages, though the eggs can be seen in a colony.

A bright orange Feltiella maggot can consume up to 15 spider mates every day, while 80 spider mite eggs during one week.

Introducing 1000 midges per hectare can rapidly reduce spider mite populations if they are not yet webbing.

4. Use Plant-based Miticides

There are many miticides available in the market, which contain only natural ingredients. You can use them as natural ways to get rid of spider mites on plants. Make sure they are authentic and read the label carefully to check whether any chemical ingredients are used.

Syngenta Avid 0.15EC

Syngenta Avid 0.15EC is a special miticide, which is suitable to use different purposes, including spider mites, whiteflies, leafminers, aphids, thrips, etc. Foliage and flowers respond well to it too. Kill spider mites by applying them to the undersides of leaves.

A gallon of water is required to dilute the concentrate to the right‌ ‌strength. As soon as you have mixed it, spray the solution over the affected leaves and areas. Don’t let anything stand‌ ‌overnight. Plants, flowers, and ornamentals can all be treated with it.

Cinnamate

This pesticide kills a wide range of spider mites, which are adapted from cinnamon oil. The miticide does not pose any hazards. It is ineffective against eggs, but it is effective against adults. Throughout a couple of weeks, spray this every three days per week on your plants, so you’re sure to ‌get‌ rid ‌of‌ ‌them!

Forbid 4F

Spiromesifen, which controls and kills spider mites and eriophyid mites, is the active ingredient in this miticide. The solution should be applied to the affected plants as soon as you discover the spider mites.

You can control and treat the affected leaves of your plants efficiently using this miticide. In fact, it is one of the rarest ones which you can use directly by spraying on the leaves. No additional ingredients are needed. As a result, using this solution is more straightforward than using ‌the‌ ‌others.

Floramite SC

Among the most stringent pesticide laws in the United States are found in California. However, all state regulations and laws are met with this miticide. As a result, in California, selling and buying it is legal.

Use it in greenhouses or shade houses to grow ornamental plants with no worry. Spider mites of all kinds can be killed with this product whether used in a nursery, in the field, or indoors on plants.

Only fruits that are in the blooming stage should not be treated with this product.

5. Use Essential Oils

Neem oil

When looking for natural ways to get rid of spider mites on plants, neem oil is pretty effective. All kinds of pets respond well to neem oil.

Nuts of the evergreen tree neem are used to prepare neem oil. Apart from killing the spider mites right now, it will provide a repellant for new critters in the future. Due to the slow onset of action, you need to apply neem oil regularly.

Rosemary oil

The rosemary oil needs to be diluted ‌with‌ ‌water. The treatment of spider mites with it is effective. The substance is not harmful‌ ‌to‌ ‌humans. Oils like this are ideal for plants and herbs ‌you‌ ‌want‌ ‌to‌ ‌harvest‌ ‌and‌ ‌eat‌ ‌later. Click on the link to check the price “best rosemary oil pesticide.”

Eucalyptus Oil

An alternative to traditional pesticides is eucalyptus oil, which is non-chemical. It‌ ‌works‌ ‌directly‌ ‌against insects and some bacteria and fungi as a natural repellent.

Eucalyptus oil kills spider mites on contact when used in the right concentration. Eucalyptus oil can be used every three days until spider mites do not appear again.

Click on the link to check the price “best eucalyptus oil pesticide.”

6. Diatomaceous Earth

Diatomaceous earth is edible as it is an effective solution to digestive issues. An exoskeleton of a microscopic sea creature known as a diatom is used to make diatomaceous earth. Whenever it touches small insects, it causes them to be desiccated (dehydrated).

When an insect or spider is smaller, it has less room to lose moisture ‌before‌ ‌it‌ ‌becomes‌ ‌fatal. This fine powder is great for dehydrating spider mites in your plants and around them.

Water cannot dissolve Diatomaceous Earth. As a result, it can withstand rain without being washed‌ ‌away. It will work on the spider mites continually.

Whether you wash your veggies and fruits or not before eating them, the solution won’t cause any issue on them as they are edible. There is no danger whatsoever.

7. Botanical Pyrethrums

Pyrethrum is acquired from a family member of the chrysanthemum. Many experts believe this miticide is one of the most effective natural ways to get rid of spider mites on plants. Some‌ ‌species of mites that are resistant‌ ‌to‌ ‌it may develop. Hence, after spraying your plant, watch it closely.

PyGanic Gardening Botanical Insecticide

According to the National Organic Program (NOP), PyGanic meets the requirements for organic gardening. More than 200 pests that ruin crops can be killed by this product, including‌ ‌spider‌ ‌mites,‌‌ roaches, ants,‌ ‌and ‌‌beetles.

You can safely use the solution on different types of plants, including tomatoes, celery, peppers, cucumbers, and so forth. Almost 200 ornamental, fruit, and vegetable species can be treated with it.

Southern Ag Natural Pyrethrin

The Southern Ag Natural Pyrethrin is an effective solution to kill spider mites, roaches, ants, flies, wasps, moths, aphids, silverfish, beetles, whiteflies, and many more.

Plants, vegetables, and ornamentals all benefit from it. Neither children nor pets are harmed by it. The product is effective against nearly all types of insects.

8. Companion Planting

If you search for natural ways to get rid of spider mites on plants, you may like companion planting. Spider mites can be controlled through companion planting

Companion planting can be done in a number of ways. In the first place, it can promote the growth of beneficial insects. Secondly, it is a pest repellent. Onion and garlic are the most effective companion planting for getting rid of spider mites.

9. Insecticidal Soap

Organic pest control methods such as insecticidal soap are popular. Insecticidal‌ ‌soap‌ ‌is‌ ‌specifically intended to be used with‌ ‌soft-bodied‌ ‌insects. Spider mites, aphids, leafhoppers, mealybugs, whiteflies, scale insects, lace bugs, thrips, and mites are among the pests this product is effective against.

The soap kills insects in the garden by dehydrating them and converting them into salts of fatty acids.

To check the price of the best sprayable insecticidal soap, click on the link.

10. Physical Cleansing

It is possible to kill spider mites with dish soap and water, which suffocates‌ ‌them. In a gallon of warm water, pour a few ounces of mild dish soap. Now, apply the soap solution to the infected leaves using a sponge.

Suffocation occurs as a result of the soap’s drying process. It will not take more than a few hours before they all die.  Remove the soap film from the plants by rinsing and wash off dead bodies.

As an alternative, you can apply rubbing alcohol, insecticidal soap, or horticultural oil. It is good to test out the soap, oil, or rubbing alcohol on one or two leaves to ensure that the plants are not sensitive to it. It can be used on the rest of the plant after 2-3 days without any side effects.

When inspecting the leaves, be sure to look at their undersides. There will appear tiny dots on the leaves due to the small size of the spider mites. Gently rub the affected areas. An infestation of spider mites is evident if it moves. It’s a discoloration if it doesn’t move.

Spider mites in the house can be controlled by this method. Using the garden hose is an easier and faster method for getting rid of them when they are outside. All leaves should be washed on top and bottom.

Make sure that you wash the webbing off in either case. In contrast to most spiders, their webs are not meant to catch prey but rather to protect‌ ‌themselves. Washing your plants with water prevents spider mites from surviving in such a hot, dry environment.

11. Isolation

Greenhouses or indoors are the best places to use this method. When spider mites may have only attacked a single or two plants and plants nearby that have not been infested, get rid of the infected plants, put them inside an airtight plastic bag, and put them in the trash.

Remember, infestations that are in their early stages will respond to this method.

12. Herbal Tea

Your savior might be herbal tea. Take an appropriate amount of ground cinnamon mixed with 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves with tea to make herbal tea. Prepare a herbal solution by dissolving it in water.

Now that you have all the ingredients ready, you’ll need to boil them together and allow them to cool. After the mixture cools, it needs to be filtered and poured‌ ‌into‌ ‌a‌ ‌spray‌ ‌bottle. Then, spray the solution to the infected leaves and other areas where you can see the movement of spider mites.

13. Organic Salts

Fatty acids or potassium is an excellent source of organic salts, which you can use on infected plants to get rid of spider mites.

To check the price of the insecticide having a mixture of organic salt, click on the link – “best organic salt-containing insecticide.”

Don’t forget to keep your plants clean and make sure no dust, debris, or weeds are developed around the plants. It will help you to keep the plants safe from dangerous insects.

14. Lemon Juice

Collect some lemon juice. Lemon juice that is squeezed from fresh fruit is better. Combine with water (2:3). Apply the solution with a spray bottle to all the plants affected.

15. Pepper

In order to prevent your plants from being infected by red spider mites, you can use pepper spray. Add a few drops of liquid soap to one bowl of warm water. Then add one spoon of pepper or hot sauce to the water.

This solution needs to be kept overnight and then strained‌ ‌using‌ ‌a‌ ‌filter. Garlic and onions can also be added to this pepper solution to make it stronger and more effective. In order to rid your plants of red spider mites, spray this solution on the leaf bases or near the infestation areas.

How To Prevent Spider Mites on Plants Naturally?

Keep Leaves Clean & Hydrated

Dusty leaves on plants experiencing water stress are a favourite breeding ground for spider mites. Periodically wiping off dirty leaves is an effective way to discourage them. Be sure to water your plants properly. Additionally, a leaf shine can be helpful ‌periodically.

Maintain a High Humidity Level

When it comes to spider mites, dry air is a huge deterrent, so you can keep the air surrounding your plants moist to prevent them from sticking to them.

A humidifier can help you determine‌ ‌the‌ ‌humidity‌ ‌level. Leave a container of water nearby so that it can evaporate periodically. Or, spray your plants with a fine mist periodically.

Peat moss can be added to soils that lack organic matter. Use a sheer curtain, so your plants are not in direct sunlight.

Debug Your Plants

It is a good idea to debug your plants before bringing them back indoors if you like to keep them outside during the summer.

How to Prevent Spider Mites in The First Place

A dry, hot climate is favorable to spider mites, as their enemies cannot thrive in it. They will be repellent in a damp environment. Absorbing moisture from the plants they feed on makes them less able to eliminate excess moisture.

You can keep spider mites in check by watering or misting your plants regularly while not over-watering. Spider mites can be prevented from invading you by doing this.

Wrapping Up

We hope you got the answer “How To Get Rid of Spider Mites Naturally?”

It is essential to keep your beautiful plants free from spider mites to ensure a long lifespan. We have included several natural ways to get rid of spider mites on plants in this post —any of these options are acceptable to you if they seem convenient and easy. Thanks for reading!

Last update on 2023-01-28 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

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