Spider Mites

Do your plants look “burned,” “dull,” or “rusty”? Is there yellow stippling on the leaves or needles of your trees or shrubs? These could be signs of spider mite damage.

Spider mites are tiny arachnids, similar to spiders and ticks, that suck sap from the undersides of leaves and needles. Their feeding causes discoloration and small holes in the foliage. An infestation can spread quickly, leading to severe damage and even death of vulnerable trees and shrubs if left untreated.

To check for spider mites, try the paper test. Hold a clean white sheet of paper under the foliage and gently tap the branch until you’ve accumulated some tiny specks on the page. Examine these specks closely (use a magnifying lens if possible) and see if any start moving. If they do, they’re likely spider mites. When you wipe your hand across the page, these mites will smear and leave dark brown marks.

Protecting your plants from spider mites can be as simple as spraying them with a cold water stream from a hose during the early stages of infestation. However, since these pests spread rapidly, we recommend our organic treatment. Our carefully timed applications use horticultural mineral oil and insecticidal soap to minimize spider mite damage to your ornamental plants.

Contact us today for more information or to schedule a free inspection!