Plants require a series of care to stay healthy, grow and flourish. Depending on the type and origin, they will need to be in certain environmental conditions and perceive a series of risks, among many other things. Also, protecting them from the threat of diseases and pests such as aphids or spider mites is possible by taking preventive measures.
The spider mite is one of the most common and destructive pests on many plants. Therefore, it is convenient to know the best methods to prevent it from becoming a pest and keep it away from the plantations. To discover how to eliminate spider mites from plants, the most effective tricks to achieve it and how to get rid of spider mites naturally, we recommend that you continue reading this article about these small red spiders on plants.
How to get rid of spider mites naturally?
Knowing the symptoms of spider mites on plants is essential to detect them and act quickly. These tiny insects feed on the leaves and generate small spots on the plant surface with white or yellow spots and some discoloration.
The yellow spots are centered in the thickest veins of the leaves and the central part. If a few days pass and they are still present, the spider mites completely yellow the plant, which reduces its photosynthesis capacity because they lack chlorophyll.
At this point, the leaves will fall off and the plant will become so weak that it will eventually die. Therefore, it is essential to act simultaneously that you detect the presence of the red spider since the yellowish spots that it causes multiply at great speed.
Of course, you will also see tiny red spots, you can even see that they move a little, and as the days go by, you will see that they are larger and, probably, some fine cobwebs as well, which means that there are more of these parasites.
Sulfur to eliminate spider mites
Some fungicides contain sulfur, an effective chemical to eradicate red mites. Some with powdered sulfur can be applied with the dusting method, with ground sulfur. The use of sulfur to combat spider mites is common in many crops such as tomatoes, peppers, vines, and strawberries.
Potassium soap to eliminate spider mites
You can also go for products like potassium soap to eliminate spider mites. This resource contains the property of weakening parasitic organisms and in the end, they die. The application of potassium soap has many benefits, such as the following:
- It does not intoxicate other insects, such as butterflies and bees, and does not damage the fruits.
Protects the crop from toxic residues. - It is completely harmless for other animals and people. It does not endanger the health of the individual who applies it, nor that of pets, children or people around.
- It is easily removed and biodegradable, so it does not negatively impact the environment.
Neem oil to kill spider mites
After applying potassium soap, neem oil is very helpful in eliminating flowering spider mites. It is a natural insecticide extracted from the fruits of the neem tree. In addition to fighting this mite, it also helps eliminate other pests, such as bed bugs, lice, and aphids.
Apply the neem oil to the spider mite plant one hour after using the potassium soap. This combination results in a very effective treatment to eliminate the spider mite from the plants and other possible parasites that you may not have seen yet, but that may have appeared because the plant was more vulnerable.
Garlic to combat spider mites
Don’t you know how to get rid of spider mites at home? Do you want to avoid the use of specific products and powerful chemicals? You can also protect your plants naturally with a product that is quite common in homes.
You just have to crush and dilute the garlic in water to apply it throughout the plant. Thus, it will act as a great defense against fungi, bacteria and insects. To use it comfortably, put the garlic solution in an aerosol or spray and always apply it when the sun has gone because if you wet the leaves and stems when the sun is out, they could burn.
Tobacco to eradicate the spider mite
Another of the home remedies for spider mites on plants is tobacco. You must follow these guidelines to correctly use tobacco to eliminate spider mites on plants:
- Mix the tobacco (60 grams) with 1 liter of water. If you are going to use less quantity, consider the proportion, so if you are going to use 1/2 liter of water, you will have to add 30 grams of tobacco.
- Add natural soap (10 grams if you are preparing a liter of water) to the mixture and stir to integrate everything.
- Let it sit for 14 hours and then you can apply the mixture with a spray. It is recommended to use it once a week for approximately two months if the plague is severe or several pests.
