How to Get Rid of Spider Mites: Removal Tips for Trees and Plants

Spider mites can be a huge problem for homeowners, especially those who have trees and plants in their yard. These tiny pests can cause a lot of damage to your plants, so it is important to get rid of them as soon as possible. Spider mites are some of the most common pests in Texas and across the USA! In this blog post, we will discuss how to get rid of spider mites and the best methods for removing them from your trees and plants. (Spider mites are not insects, but they are arachnids, more closely related to spiders and ticks than insects)

Why are My Tree’s Leaves Dusty?

One of the first signs of a spider leaf infestation is that your tree’s leaves may look dusty. While the leaves aren’t actually dusty, it’s the sign of spider mites feasting on the fluid inside the leaves. The damage caused by spider mites can cause the leaves to turn brown and eventually drop off. If you notice this happening to your tree, it’s important to take action as soon as possible.

How Do I Know if My Tree Has Spider Mites?

Spider mites are microscopic and can be hard to see without a magnifying glass. Spider mites live on the backside of a leaf and spin tiny webs to move between leaves. If you suspect you have spider mites, take one of the infected leaves and shake it over a white sheet of paper. If you see tiny dots moving around, you have spider mites living rent-free on your tree.

How Do I Get Rid of Spider Mites?

There are a few different methods you can use to get rid of spider mites from your trees and plants. There are natural solutions and more intense miticides you can use on your trees and plants to remove spider mites.

Natural Spider Mite Treatments

Removing Spider Mites with Water

One of the easiest and most effective ways to remove spider mites is by using water. Simply spray your plants and trees with a hose, making sure to get the undersides of the leaves where the spider mites are living. You can also use a pressure washer on larger trees. This method will get most of the spider mites off of your plants and remove the eggs as well. This is not the most effective method of removing an infestation. But it’s a good idea to spray your trees with water to keep pests off.

Using Neem Oil to Treat Spider Mites

Neem oil is a natural insecticide that can be used to kill spider mites. Neem oil works by suffocating the pests and causing them to dehydrate. You can purchase neem oil at most garden stores or online. To use neem oil, mix it with water according to the directions on the bottle and spray it on your tree. Continue this every couple of days to make sure the spider mites have not returned.

Chemical Spider Mite Treatments

Many insecticides are not useful against spider mites. Since chemical pesticides can be harmful to the environment if misused, it’s always best to trust a professional. But if you have a bad infestation, you may need to use a pesticide.

Insecticidal Soap

insecticidal soap is a “soft” pesticide, meaning it’s more gentle to the environment than other pesticides. Insecticidal soap works by suffocating the spider mites. You can make your own insecticidal soap at home by mixing water and dish soap or purchase it online or at a garden store. To use, follow the directions on your bottle and spray along all the leaves of your plant. Make sure to hit the front and back of your leaves and continue every day until the infestation is gone.

Other Treatments

While there are many other chemical treatments for spider mites, they are best used by professionals. If you have a bad infestation, it’s best to call an ISA-certified arborist, like TreeNewal. We can help you treat your spider mites and set your tree up on a care plan that will keep it in good health.

Prevention

The best way to deal with spider mites is to prevent them from happening in the first place. Start by regularly spraying your trees and plants with water. This will help keep most pests away and keep your leaves clean!

A happy and healthy tree is less susceptible to pests, so make sure you’re giving your tree the care it needs. If you think your tree is sick or dying, call TreeNewal for a free consultation. We can help save your tree!

Top Take-Aways

• Spider mites are tiny and hard to see. They live on the back of leaves and spin webs to move from leaf to leaf.
• If you think you have spider mites, shake an infected leaf over a white piece of paper. If you see moving dots, you have spider mites.
• In some situations, you can remove spider mites with natural solutions or with pesticides.
• If you’re worried you have spider mites, contact an ISA-Certified Arborist for the best care possible.
• Prevention is key! Regularly spraying your trees and plants with water will help keep spider mites away.

Do you have questions about how to get rid of spider mites? Visit our Facebook page or give us a call! We can treat your tree for spider mites, as well as provide you with tips on how to prevent them in the future.

TreeNewal of Dallas is a full-service tree care company. We are ISA-certified arborists that provide tree health services as well as pruning! Contact us today for a free consultation.

To learn more about How to Get Rid of Spider Mites: Removal Tips for Trees and Plants, call our Argyle and Southlake-based teams

at (817) 592-6846 or send us a message.

We’re a little different than the average tree services company.

Learn more about TreeNewal’s ISA Certified Arborists!

Our Dallas/Fort Worth-based tree doctors can explain how sustainable tree care services add more value to your bottom line.

Healthy trees, healthy lives.