What Are Spider Mites?
Spider mites are tiny arachnids that are common pests of many types of plants. They are difficult to see with the naked eye, but they can be identified by the stippling of light dots on leaves or the presence of webbing.
Diagnosis: What Spider Mites Look Like
To identify spider mites, use a magnifying lens to view the tiny, moving dots. Adults are less than one-twentieth of an inch long and have eight legs, an oval body, and two colored eyespots near the end of the head. They live in colonies, mostly on the undersides of leaves, with a single colony potentially containing hundreds of mites. When populations are high, dense webbing can cover leaves, twigs, and fruit.
How To Prevent & Treat
There are a number of things you can do to prevent and treat spider mites on your trees.
Prevention
- Keep your trees healthy. Healthy trees are more resistant to pests and diseases. Make sure your trees are getting enough water and nutrients.
- Inspect your trees regularly. Check your trees for signs of spider mites, such as stippling on leaves or the presence of webbing.
- Remove infested leaves. If you find any infested leaves, remove them immediately.
Treatment
- Spray with water. If you have a small infestation, you can try spraying your trees with water. This will dislodge the mites and help to wash them away.
- Use insecticidal soap or oil. Insecticidal soap or oil can be sprayed on your trees to kill spider mites.
If you have a serious infestation of spider mites, call Eco Tree Company at (608) 886-0626.
It is important to note that chemical control should be performed by a certified arborist. Schedule a free consultation with the certified arborists at Eco Tree Company.
Have a question about your trees?
We can have one of our certified arborists come out to your home and assess your trees. Whether it is in need of removal, maintenance, or you think it has a disease, we have you covered! Schedule a consultation below!