Spider Mites

To get rid of spider mites follow these steps:

1. Check plants regularly. Under favourable conditions (hot), mite populations build up rapidly so early recognition and action are essential if you are to avoid problems.
2. Clear away weeds in your garden as they may harbour mites.
3. For best control, also use Organic Super Spraying Oil to control mites. It must be applied directly to the mites as it works by suffocating them. Apply in cool dull weather and ensure complete coverage of all parts of the affected plants including the undersides of leaves where spider mites usually live.
4. Organic Super Sulphur will also control mites and can give good preventative control when used in late winter. See how to carry out a winter care program when your plants are dormant.
5. It is also beneficial to hose the leaves of affected pants with water to keep them cool. Mite thrive in hot conditions and 'hate' cold. Hose down your plants with a steady stream of water every 3 days for 9 days.
6. On ornamentals that are still heavily infested, spray upper and lower sides of affected leaves with PLANThealth Spectrum, or Spectrum Plus.

Spider mites are members of the Acari (mite) family. They have eight legs, like spiders, and are related to the spiders. Spider mites tend to become a problem in hot dry weather. In optimal conditions populations can explode with a single mature female giving rise to millions of mites with a month.

The common species of red spider mite (family Tetranychidae) found in New Zealand are:

•     Eurpopean red mite - Panonychus ulmi
•     Two spotted mite - Tetranychus urticae
•     Typhlodromid mite - Typhlodromus pyri
•     Clover mite - Bryobia praetiosa