Patty:

Are you sure it's spider mites? Is there stippling on the leaves? Sometimes small spider webbing can be mistaken for spider mites.

You really need a hand lens and look very closely in good light to be sure it's mites.

I've not had a problem outdoors but they are serious in the greenhouse. You probably won't want to use what I use and you'd have a hard time finding it.

Soap with oil doesn't sound compatible to me.

Pretty sure as I can be without looking under a magnifying glass, fruitnut. I've dealt with spider mite before. It has JUST started, so the leaves won't be affected, yet. I know miticides are nasty, nasty stuff. Up there with fungicides. I was doing some searching on the Internet and came across the dormant oil/insecticidal soap combo. The soap will just make the oil emulsify, and maybe help to keep the soap stuck on a bit longer. Just a little concerned about using an oil now, since it can get a little warm, now. Although we're not in for any significantly hot weather in the next week or so (maybe even rain. Again!) The webbing has a rather distinctive look, and saw that, and saw what appeared to be very, very teeny, tiny bugs crawling along the webbing. I had the sun at a sharp angle that sort of reflected the little buggars, so about 99% sure. I could use NEEM oil, too, that will take care of them, but I don't want to sacrifice blossoms. My Pink Lady is blooming right now.

Patty S.

You might be interested in a recent treatment I used on a Tent Caterpillar's nest. Not sure if it will work on spider mites, haven't got any to test on!
Activated Compost Tea.
I have sprayed all my trees as they're just breaking bud, found the nest so made sure it got well covered. That was yesterday, today I checked and the caterpillars are all dead and dried up!
Works for me, why not give it a try?

If you still have cool enough days, horticultural oil- preferably with the purity of Purespray is quite affective for SM's. I believe cut-off is about 90 to 95 degrees but you can easily look up the label.

A hand lens is extremely useful. Ben Meadows carries a real nice one for under $10 called a Bausch and Lomb Packette Magnifier and Radio Shack has a very good and cheap pocket microscope that works better than models costing many times more.

Thanks, harvestman. I'm always afraid of frying things here in S. Calif. with hort oil, but really good to know I can safely apply during warmer weather - I'll check the label. Going to take a very, very hard look to make sure it's spider mites, and then spray if necessary. What do you think of Neem oil if I can't find Purespray? The hand lens is a good idea. I do have a pretty decent magnifying glass, just not sure if it is strong enough. I'll try using it to see if I can visualize the buggars.

Patty S.

Purespray is only one brand. You're looking for 99% unsulphenated something or other. Anyway check the label about purity- some are only in the low '90's.

You can't safely apply it during warmer weather but I guess you mean warm but not hot.

I know nothing about the efficacy of neem but you can sure check the label.

If you have a supplier that sells landscape supplies to contractors they'll certainly have oil. John Deere is a country wide chain like this (it's a specific division separate from heavy equipment) so you can google them for your area.

alternatively you can order some on-line. mites take time to do significant damage. commercial growers often let them be towards the end of the season around here.

Thanks, harvestman. I'll check a couple of places around me that do a good job carrying organic orchard products. One is an orchard supply store very well-known in our area and cater to all the commercial growers in N. San Diego county, Grangetto's, and also one of our very popular and large gardening centers, Green Thumb, which carries a large supply of organic products. Neem oil, btw, is a miticide.

Patty S.