So this is the first time I'm discovering this on my indoor Moringa plant pictured in the first six photos a week and half ago (Jan 26th). I already cut off all of the branches pictured here and trashed. However, I just discovered the same insect on my Syngonium (pictured in the last three photos) and my Alocaaia (not pictured) today. So obviously there is an infestation and I need to get to the bottom of it QUICKLY! Are these thrips, red aphids, spider mites? I can't tell because they're so tiny.
Actions I've already taken: I cut off all branches in my Moringa tree immediately and trashed. I relise I should have done more when I first saw them earlier. Today, I also chopped and trashed the one Alocasia leaf that was yellowing and had white dots on it. I took each of the 14 individual plants in this area, acutely inspected them and then blasted them with warm water separately from each other with a sprayer in my bathtub, making sure to get under every. single. leaf! In all the nooks, crannies, crevices, stems and all. Top to bottom! I also flooded the soil of each plant with water as well and let them drain.
I then doused and drenched each individual plant and their soil separately with my homemade insecticidal mix of dish soap, vinegar and water until dripping and let dry completely.
Is there anything else that I need to add? Do more of? I obviously will keep monitoring closely everyday.
I typically water my plants once a week. The Moringa gets watered onceto twice a week because it receives lots of bright morning light and some afternoon filtered light . The Syngonym gets watered about once every week to two weeks because of the placement away from from direct sunlight, it dries out slower. Both receive light from south/south east facing window.
by hbh_93
3 Comments
Hmm you see that spider like webbing? That’s pretty clearly spider mites
The red mites idk what they are, but if they’re eating the spider mites leave them, observe what they’re doing and how they interact with one another
Since your treatment hasn’t been working I recommend getting a miticide. End-all is a Safers product and works well
I’m also gonna say no thrips
I don’t see any aphids but I’m wondering about those spherical translucent things at the crooks of branches? Are they bugs? If you touch it does it just fall off like a droplet of sap that dried hard?
This is just spider mites. Wash them off – just with a strong spray of water is fine- at least every three days to interrupt the mite life cycle. Make sure the water doesn’t go into the soil as much as possible. Once the infestation is off the leaves you can also repot them, removing as much of the existing soil as possible. (But don’t do this while you have an active infestation). Spider mites life cycle doesn’t involve soil but they can ‘overwinter’ in soil.
Quarantine these plants from others. If the three you mentioned have been close to other ones, it’s best to just treat all the plants in that area as if they have mites. Keep an eye on all your other plants, even if they seem far apart. Humans/pets etc can inadvertently spread them.
You can use pesticides or insecticidal soap if you want, but many mites are resistant to pesticides, and consistently washing the plants is essential to physically knock off the bugs even if you use sprays… this method alone can be just as effective as any sprays.
That looks like red spider mites, they can proliferate quickly especially in dry warm indoor climates. I would use a magnifying glass to get a better look, maybe try getting a photo through the magnifying glass too to post here for the mites mug shots.
You can buy a variety of effective insecticidal products for these red spider mites but some options are stinky. If the mites get bad treatment can be tough leading to having to throw out the plant sadly. Judging by the photos it’s a moderate infestation not yet bad, but getting there..
A great at home treatment option is a mix of 1 cup isopropyl rubbing alcohol and a few drops of dish soap mixed into 30 ounces of water into a spray bottle. This won’t have lingering smell but will have slight alcohol smell until the mixture dries on the plant. Spray this thoroughly onto BOTH sides of the leaves and cover the stems with it doing this 2 x weekly to smother the mites and their eggs until they are gone. Inspect the whole plant with the magnifying glass through this process to ensure they are gone.
Prevention is a lot easier than getting rid of these mites so get the humidity in check asap as needed. Moringa like 50% – 70% humidity and tropical house music.