Spider mites - how long can they live without food?
don555
12 years ago
Featured Answer
Sort by:Oldest
Comments (48)
greenman28 NorCal 7b/8a
12 years agolast modified: 9 years agosmokemaster_2007
12 years agolast modified: 9 years agoRelated Discussions
Spider Mites -- everywhere!
Comments (41)Mandy, I wish I could help you - any pictures of the varmints? I came to this thread because I do have spider mites on many houseplants I bought in early winter from big box stores during distressed sales, and I've been fighting spider mites for the past few months. I'll be honest - they're all in a room where sometimes they are forgotten for a week or more at a time so they get dry and stressed, and the mites don't get noticed sometimes until they've gotten down and dirty. But when I have found them and use the spray I bought (can't recall the name, got it at WalMart, in a green bottle) really well and wipe the leaves down, it keeps them off for a while. Then they show up on another plant. I'm just tired of fighting the spider mites - already have enough on my plate (2 toddlers, I work, I'm not the best organized, and we got a bit flooded in the recent rains, so I'm in "purge" mode) and want to know your thoughts on my choices: First off, is there such a thing as a total cure, as in they're not coming back? Or will this be a constant battle now that they're here? I don't remember my mom ever having spider mites with her plants, but she didn't have a lot of plants either (maybe this is why). Can I give them a good treatment with the spray and offer them on freecycle to anybody who would want to try to rehab them (with full disclosure of what they might be taking in), or is that just giving the mites the opportunity to infect somebody else's stuff... and therefore I should just toss what I have in the trash and save everybody the trouble? I know I will be giving the heave-ho to some fancy ivies (two kinds of "King's Choice" and "Gold Baby" which I thought were pretty but look a little bit ratty now), two earth star plants (just had pups), a Janet Craig dracaena that is in very good shape, a Pilea (Moon Valley) that looks awful but not because of mites (I just don't know what to do with it - I think it needs pinching and re-rooting but I'm never good at that so it's got legs a mile long and a few leaves at the top), a couple of diffenbachia (no mites), and maybe some more if I can make myself let go of them (corn plant that has a lot of mites on it (getting treated tomorrow), couple of little dracaena marginata, another spotted dracaena I brought back from near death, and my three red sister ti's in a pot but I don't think I can give them up... yet. Thanks in advance for your input. Terri...See MoreHow do you kill spider mites?
Comments (19)I can assure you that a dry atmosphere is not the only thing to encourage spider mites.. high natural humidity and rain do also. Let me explain. I live in the Dominican Republic and in our winters its around 75f with 100% humidity most of the time because of all the rain, constantly. Even so, in all my life I have never seen spider mite run so rife on almost any plant life it feels like. I am going to take the advice of those that have offered it and try a few things out that ive not yet tried. However, why I am writing is to say.. it is not a dry atmosphere that encourages them.. as explained.. it happens also in months of high humidity....See MoreHow long can aphids survive without food?
Comments (7)I started with the spray in the sink, when it was only 2 plants to worry about. I expect that works better outdoors because apparently the aphids are more susceptible to predators once dislodged. Indoors I wonder if it just gave them the motivation they needed to go find my seedlings. Apparently they are much more mobile than I had originally given them credit for. When they are hunkered in attached to the plant they seem barely able to move. I'm going to be out of the country for a couple of weeks. I'm curious to see what my brother will do and what state I'll find them in when I get back. He has a degree in horticulture, so hopefully he will use good sense :)...See MoreSpider Mites ID / advice on preventative measures for other plants
Comments (6)That is not spider mite webbing. And the mites themselves are so tiny they cannot be seen with the naked eye.....unless you knock then off onto a sheet of white paper (they will show up as microscopic specks of dust :-)). If you suspect mites, the best thing you can do is treat your plants to a thorough shower.....in the sink, in the shower or outside with a hose if a large plant. Mites hate moisture and humidity and maintaining the humidity at an adequately high level - always a challenge with indoor houseplants - will go a long way in discouraging them. Just make sure you are very thorough - top and bottom of all the foliage and down into the stems. I don't find insecticidal soap all that effective against either the mites or the mealies and would prefer to use neem oil for this purpose. But if you do opt for the soap, I would use a proper prepared horticultural insecticidal soap, not something made from household ingredients. They are not at all the same....See Morenoinwi
12 years agolast modified: 9 years agoUser
12 years agolast modified: 9 years agosmokemaster_2007
12 years agolast modified: 9 years agodon555
12 years agolast modified: 9 years agoUser
12 years agolast modified: 9 years agonoinwi
12 years agolast modified: 9 years agobiscgolf
12 years agolast modified: 9 years agodon555
12 years agolast modified: 9 years agorockguy
12 years agolast modified: 9 years agoEdymnion
12 years agolast modified: 9 years agojennq
12 years agolast modified: 9 years agoUser
12 years agolast modified: 9 years agosmokemaster_2007
12 years agolast modified: 9 years agobiscgolf
12 years agolast modified: 9 years agorcstampyd
12 years agolast modified: 9 years agodon555
12 years agolast modified: 9 years agoesox07 (4b) Wisconsin
12 years agolast modified: 9 years agoUser
12 years agolast modified: 9 years agodon555
12 years agolast modified: 9 years agocapoman
12 years agolast modified: 9 years agodon555
12 years agolast modified: 9 years agoesox07 (4b) Wisconsin
12 years agolast modified: 9 years agojsschrstrcks
12 years agolast modified: 9 years agoUser
12 years agolast modified: 9 years agojsschrstrcks
12 years agolast modified: 9 years agodavid52 Zone 6
12 years agolast modified: 9 years agoself
8 years agoaruzinsky
8 years agolast modified: 8 years agosmokemaster_2007
8 years agoFoamulations
7 years agoRandolph Brek
7 years agonortheast_chileman
7 years agolast modified: 7 years agoaruzinsky
7 years agolast modified: 7 years agopattymt
6 years agoesox07 (4b) Wisconsin
6 years agolast modified: 6 years agobcloose
6 years agolast modified: 6 years agosmokemaster_2007
6 years agoHU-4859045
5 years agoRaymond McAbier
4 years agoGraham Wood
4 years agoGraham Wood
4 years agoRandolph Brek
3 years agoHU-770555287
3 years agojoyrichardson4u
3 years agoHU-997144147
7 months ago
Related Stories
FUN HOUZZSurvey Says: We’re Scared of Being Home Alone — and Spiders
A new Houzz survey reveals that most of us get spooked in an empty house. Find out what’s causing the heebie-jeebies
Full StoryHEALTHY HOMEGet Cleaner Indoor Air Without Opening a Window
Mechanical ventilation can actually be better for your home than the natural kind. Find out the whys and hows here
Full StoryMORE ROOMSCould Your Living Room Be Better Without a Sofa?
12 ways to turn couch space into seating that's much more inviting
Full StoryGARDENING AND LANDSCAPINGHow to Make a Pond
You can make an outdoor fish paradise of your own, for less than you might think. But you'll need this expert design wisdom
Full StoryLIFEWe Can Work It Out: Living (and Cleaning) Together
Run a household without fussing and fighting with these ideas for how to work together on household chores
Full StoryGARDENING AND LANDSCAPINGRaise Backyard Chickens Without Ruffling Neighbors' Feathers
Before you build a coop in the backyard, follow these strategies to help keep your neighbors from squawking
Full StoryLIFE6 Ways to Cool Off Without Air Conditioning
These methods can reduce temperatures in the home and save on energy bills
Full StoryKITCHEN DESIGN11 Ways to Update Your Kitchen Without a Sledgehammer
Give your kitchen a new look by making small improvements that have big impact
Full StoryHOLIDAYSSpend Less Without Being a Grinch: 8 Holiday Ideas
Give meaningful gifts and use nature's decor to work holiday magic without blowing your budget
Full StoryDECLUTTERINGHow to Declutter Without Going Minimalist
Here are 10 ways to get your home tidy and organized while keeping that personal touch
Full StorySponsored
smokemaster_2007