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TIL About Spider Mites
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TIL About Spider Mites


TIL that Imidacloprid (Bonide Systemic Houseplant Insect Control) is not effective against spider mites but is effective at killing the bugs that keep mites under control. This is one frond of the palm in my office that just looked a little dusty last week. They were much worse on the dry side than the side were the humidifier spray hits. Fortunately, there wasn't much damage to the plant yet. I thoroughly drenched it with insecticide soap and mill be monitoring the situation closely. I have a number of plants in my office that I want to protect and am still pretty new to this.

by nancy_pants64

32 Comments

  1. anteater143

    From what I’ve heard the systemic granules can actually make spider mite problems worse 😭 I have been fighting my own pest battles, it’s not fun but on the bright side you will be much more familiar and prepared to see the signs next time! Sounds like you are taking the right steps now. Best of luck!!

  2. Uschisewpie

    Bonnide systemic granules are not rated to treat spider mites. The label clearly states this. Please read the entire label of the chemicals you choose to use. The bees and the fish will greatly thank you. It is also the law that is agreed upon with purchase.

  3. lesbos_hermit

    Yeah, imidacloprid actually causes them to reproduce *even more*. [Study here.](https://academic.oup.com/jee/article-abstract/95/4/729/917010) (Edit: This is because mites are not technically true insects–they are arachnids.) There are systemic miticides that exist, but they can be hard to obtain in many areas. Since you’re going the topical route, make sure to thoroughly drench each plant with your treatment every 2-3 days for at least a couple of weeks. They hatch and reach reproductive maturity in just 3-4 days, so you have to treat more often than that to break each new wave if you’re not using a systemic miticide.

    Here’s [another study](https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/spruce_spider_mite_management_in_christmas_trees) on different pesticides and their efficacy vs. spider mites and predatory mites, if you’re interested. Spinosad (Captain Jack’s Dead Bug Brew) also works well, as well as anything oil-based. I highly recommend getting another pesticide that works on them and switching off between the two treatment types.

  4. DreiGlaser

    The way my eyes got so wide when this scrolled onto my feed

  5. jbalazov

    I used a neem oil spray to get rid of them on my calathea, but my problem was pretty mild compared to yours.

    All the luck to you, friend.

  8. deletetemptemp

    I’ve done literally everything. Predatory bugs, insecticides, even drowned mine in a pool

    Only one thing worked – throw it in the trash

  9. JadeChipmunk

    When I didn’t have the proper space for them, one plant was pushed all the way in the back that I couldn’t see very well, and it ended up looking like this. At the time, I wasn’t willing to put the time and care into it and tossed it. Wish I didn’t. Good luck to you hahaha

  11. SarBev

    They’re like alocasias. Always with spider mites. Honestly, not worth it at this point. Garbage it goes.

  12. soupsl00t

    This sucks for you and your plant(s) but if you don’t think about what it actually is this picture is kinda sick

  18. drown_like_its_1999

    I’ve found success when blasting the plant with water in the shower for like 20 minutes. The leaves, the soil, the stem; just blast them non-stop with water for way longer than seems necessary then let it drain in the shower for thirty minutes or so and isolate it near a window somewhere in your house near no other plants.

    I was able to eradicate them from my majesty palm about a year ago when it was on the brink of death but my arid climate and barely alive plant may have also aided the process.

  19. oh_such_rhetoric

    I’m so sorry about the loss of your home to fire.

  22. Schpopsy

    I’ve had luck with a spray bottle full of rubbing alcohol, after a good wash off. Then spray down every day for a week. It was never 100%, but kept them away for a good while. No idea how to 100% kill them, or if it’s possible.

  23. crying_and_dying

    systemic granules shouldn’t be used on outdoor plants because they kill pollinators, and beneficial insects usually take care of pests on outdoor plants anyway

  25. Exhausted-CNA

    Bioadvanced makes a houseplant spray that treats mites and a bunch of other critters/fungus

  26. Exhausted-CNA

    ![gif](giphy|YBHJyPCU9h1VewdaPZ|downsized)

  27. mlp_creashunz64

    I doused my plants with diy plant spray (Paige Tailyn’s version) and then wipe them down with microfiber gloves (sometimes I leave it on to dry on its own if I think the plant will be ok). If the plant is not velvety or matte then I spray them and the leaves look really healthy after because it is an insecticide AND leaf shine. That is what works for me.

  28. Feminine_Adventurer

    neoseiulus californicus is what I use successfully with my plants. When I first started I sprayed the plant with safer soap and then rinsed it down with water and applied the mite predators the next day and added another 5k every week for a month and then every month for maintenance.

  30. TheGreenhouseAffect

    This picture frightens me not, I would accept the challenge and whip they little asses. Done it a few times and I always get them under control. Mineral spraying oil and a cloth, manually remove what you can as a first step, don’t need to do battle so hard if you eliminate most of the army.

  31. Hopeful-Ad9968

    It also increases their reproduction rate- scientifically proven!

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