As soon as it gets warmer, the spider mites come back. We show you how you can fight the parasites using natural means and prevent further infestation.
Anyone who discovers spider mites on their plants should not waste any time. Because the parasites multiply incredibly quickly under good conditions. Here you will find out which natural remedies and methods are suitable for combating it - and, above all, how you can prevent an infestation in the future.
What are spider mites?
Spider mites are tiny mites that settle primarily on the undersides of leaves and feed on their sap. The pests are smaller than a millimeter and can therefore hardly be seen with the naked eye. Their color varies between green, yellow, orange and reddish brown depending on the species, season and host plant. Spider mites owe their German name to the fine webs and webs with which they cover their host plants.
Why are spider mites so harmful to plants?
Spider mites damage the plant with their poisonous saliva. The plant also loses moisture and its natural protective layer. Bacteria, viruses, fungi and other pests often nest in the suction points. And although the individual mite doesn't cause too much damage, the pests pose a real danger to plants due to their sheer mass. The females only live for two to five weeks, but can lay up to a hundred eggs during this time. The population can grow explosively - especially in protected places with a dry, warm climate.
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Spider mites in the garden: How to recognize an infestation
Since spider mites are so tiny, you can recognize the pests primarily by their webs and the distinctive sucking damage on the leaves. The webs are found primarily in leaf axils, on leaf edges and between the stem of the plant and the leaf stalks. The sucking sites of spider mites leave tiny, light dots on the leaves - usually in very large numbers and close together. The leaves then appear speckled with yellow dots on both sides. Because the tissue is severely damaged, the individual spots often merge into larger, yellow to bronze-colored spots. These severely affected leaves curl up and die over time.
Fight spider mites with natural remedies
Since spider mites multiply so quickly, it is particularly important that you detect an infestation early. This is the only way you can take the necessary measures in good time. You don't have to resort to chemical agents, which kill just as many beneficial insects in the garden. Because there are plenty of other effective measures against pests:
Shower plants with water
If the infestation is light, simply take a garden hose (promotional link) and give the plant a good shower. However, this will not kill the eggs and you will certainly not catch every single parasite. But with this simple method you reduce the number of mites enormously, making it easier for the plant to defend itself against the pests.
Neem tree oil
Neem oil is a natural pest control agent made from the seeds of the Indian neem tree. Neem oil is usually sold together with the emulsifier Rimulgan. All you have to do is mix this viscous oil with water and apply it to your plants. It efficiently prevents pests from multiplying, while beneficial insects such as bees or ladybirds are not harmed.
Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil is a natural remedy made from the leaves and twigs of the Australian tea tree. Simply add ten drops of tea tree oil to half a liter of water and spray the affected plant. The essential oil reliably drives away the parasites.
Onion and garlic stock
Place garlic and onion peels in lukewarm water overnight. The next morning, sieve out the peels and spray the infected plants with the broth. You can also add some to the irrigation water. Then let the treated plants rest for a few days.
Rapeseed oil
Plants with slightly harder foliage can be sprayed with rapeseed oil. The oil clogs the mites' breathing openings and suffocates them. Unfortunately, not all plants tolerate rapeseed oil. That's why you should first try out a small area to see whether the plant can cope well with the product.
If you want to successfully combat spider mites, you should not just treat them once. Whatever method you choose, be sure to repeat it every few days for the next two weeks. This is the only way to ensure that all eggs have actually hatched and the offspring have been recorded.
Prevent spider mites in the garden
However, the best remedy against spider mites is well-cared for, healthy and strong plants. They can defend themselves much better against pests. Above all, ensure there is a sufficient supply of potassium, as this will give your plants particularly strong tissue. Too much nitrogen, however, has the opposite effect: the leaf tissue becomes soft and very susceptible to pests. By the way, a decoction of nettles or horsetail not only prevents spider mites.
Also, allow at least parts of your garden to grow close to nature. Because in natural gardens there are always many natural predators of spider mites and other parasites. In this way, nature automatically keeps the populations in balance and you no longer need to intervene much.