Red Spider Mites

Summer sees a proliferation of red spider mites on a host of different crops and ornamentals in the garden. They breed and spread rapidly, are difficult to detect, and require perseverance and persistence to control them once they have established themselves.

Look out for telltale signs of infestation – discolouration of the upper leaf surface, lack of new growth, and plants looking dull and lacklustre.

How to tell

Red spider mites are very small and often hide on the underside of leaves so it is not always easy to know that you have a red spider mite problem.

An easy way to test for red spider and other mites is to place a sheet of plain white paper on a clipboard. Hold this in place below the foliage of a plant and shake the leaves vigorously. Tiny specks of dust and other debris appear on the paper.

Study these carefully with the naked eye, or better still, with a magnifying glass. If you can see the tiny specks walking around then the plant is infested with mites.

They need to be controlled as they suck the sap from the leaves, causing plants to lose condition rapidly.

Products on the Market

There are many products on the market that can help combat a spider mite infestation. Some are suited to specific plants like roses, veggies and ornamental plants so do keep this in mind when selecting the products. There are also many organic options available.

Be sure to spray the underside of the leaves with a suitable product. More than a single application is usually needed to control the pests. Always read the product insert before application.

How to prevent red spider mite

Keeping your plants happy and healthy will make them less susceptible to a red spider mite infestation as the mites usually target stressed plants. Feed your plants regularly, make sure there is enough airflow and if they are indoors, be sure to give the leaves a rinse when watering.

For more information about spider mites with specific reference to roses, see this article from Ludwig’s Roses.