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Spider Mite
Spider Mites are minute pests that infest many garden plants
here in Cambria California. Technically Mites are not insects; they belong to
the Arachnida family along with spiders and ticks. Mites have 4 pairs of legs
instead of three and lack antennae and true jaws. Mites have a pair of needle
like stylets that they use to pierce plant tissue and then suck out the sap and
cell contents, this results in leaf stippling. The mites lifespan can be as
short as 7 to 10 days and therefore many generations can be produced each year.
Mites, cast skins, eggshells or webbing may cover areas of
the plant. Mites are usually more numerous on dusty plants.
Heavy rains that wash
the mites off the plants usually break their cycle. Increased humidity
can also help control mites. Drought stressed plants are more susceptible to
mites.
Some mites are host-specific, such as citrus bud mites,
fuchsia mites and
clover mites, but others attack a variety of indoor and outdoor plants.
Suggested solution
Spider mites can be washed off plants by spraying them with
water. It is important to spray the underside of the leaves and ensure the whole
plant is sprayed thoroughly. A mixture of horticultural oil and a pyrethrin
based spray
can be used. Another solution for mites is to spray an insecticidal soap onto
the leaves. Any spray should be applied at least 3 times at intervals of 7 to
10 days to effectively control spider mite. Also, when spraying any spray, it is
important to remember to spray the plant thoroughly, taking care to spray the
underside of the leaves.
How to prevent Spider Mite
Products we sell at Cambria Nursery & Florist to control Spider mite
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