What is the first indication that there are snake plant spider mites?
Yes, Dracaena trifasciata, also known as Snake Plant, may exhibit brown spots and discolored leaves when affected by spider mites.
Though snake plants are easy-to-care-for houseplants and the most compelling…
…selling point is their ease of cultivation and ability to filter indoor air.
The one important thing is knowing the pest disease in the snake plant.
Here’s what Harry experienced in his spider mites case.
I bought my wife two snake plants to decorate our new house.
She loves plants, but she’s still a beginner when it comes to taking care of them.
She’s a good learner, though.
I love when she shows me new tips and tricks to take care of her plant babies.
She knows I also love supporting this new hobby of hers.
However, when the spider mites invested our snake plants, she broke down.
She had tried a lot of stuff she’d seen on the internet, but none of them worked.
I wished I could help more, but we got too scared that…
…the spider mites would invest all of our plants, so we threw one of them out.
There’s a way to avoid Harry’s problem.
If you’re in Harry’s shoes, read on to find out how to take care of spider mites.
We’ve got a previous article on Forbes that talks about common houseplant pests that you should know.
Snake Plant Spider Mites
Snake plant leaves have a variety of problems.
Leaves of snake plants may have mushy leaves, broken leaves, yellow leaves, snake plant leaves curling, or be infected with mites.
These problems require different approaches depending on what the problem is.
As an example, there are some techniques for fixing broken snake plant leaves.
Let’s talk about the snake plant affected by spider mites this time.
Because of their snake-like leaf structure, snake plants are more likely…
…to become infested by mealybugs and spider mites.
Spider mites, for example, are more devastating and harmful to indoor plants…
…because they drain the leaf sap and cause it to become discolored and shriveled.
Snake plants with spider mites can be treated with a liquid insecticide…
…that also works well on succulents.
Because of their snake-like leaf structure, spider mites and mealybugs…
…are more likely to infest snake plants.
Spider mites, for example, are more damaging to indoor plants because…
…they drain the leaf sap, leaving it discolored and withered.
Succulents can also be treated with a liquid insecticide that kills snake plant spider mites.
Spider mites have a three to four week life cycle.
Females can lay hundreds of mite eggs during that time.
Spider mite infestations in indoor and outdoor plants can result from this population growth.
Colonies will cling to host plants, stifling growth and making them more…
…susceptible to disease and other health problems.
Spider mites will latch onto the underside of leaves and feed…
…on their chlorophyll, stealing nutrients from entire plants.
These arachnids can be a nuisance, especially in the spring and summer..,
…when hot, dry conditions of 80 degrees Fahrenheit will hasten hatching.
Larvae can reach sexual maturity in just five days after hatching.
How To Webs Out
Snake plant spider mites are a prevalent problem that can be resolved.
Another way could be watering snake plant leaves, stems with neem oil.
If you don’t have anything, start cleaning the sections of sansevieria leaves…
…and stems with a clean towel.
Clean your snake plant’s topsoil as well.
All these steps will prevent your snake plant from becoming infested with spider mites.
Other than that, it keeps your snake plant fresh.
Why did it Happen
Snake plant spider mites feed on dry plants, so if you’re growing…
…snake plants indoors, use a humidifier or mist the leaves with water to keep them moist.
These bugs prefer dirty, grungy, dusty leaves, after which they feed…
…on the plant’s cells, causing decay, sagging, withering, wilting, yellowing..,
…and browning areas on our snake plant.
One option is to simply reduce the size of the affected area.
Pruning is one of the remedies for snake plant spider mites.
Prevent Spider Mites
Credit: amazon.com
If you catch spider mites early enough, you can cure them by…
…gently washing all of your snake plant’s leaves on both sides..,
…especially the undersides, using a sponge wet in warm water.
But if your snake plants are still safe, you should prevent the spider mites.
Here are the steps:
- The first thing you should do if you discover your plant has been affected by spider mites is to segregate it from other houseplants. As a result, it does not harm other plants.
- Then, if the diseased region is small, apply to rub alcohol to the stem or leaves, or wherever bugs are present.
- Next, if you don’t have anything else, the Pointing Water push can easily drive spiders away. Also, don’t allow your plant to dry out again because these mites only appear when your plant is completely dry.
In the long run, spraying water on leaves will keep spiders away.
This is the time when we’ll talk further about…
Spider Mites Natural Solutions
Rinsing your plants with a hose, such as a garden hose with a nozzle,..
…can be one of your first lines of defense.
If you’re lucky and thorough, this may be enough to get rid of those creepy crawlies.
Unfortunately, if even a few of these little guys stick around, your problems…
…will persist, and you may need to try something a little more direct.
Soak a cloth in a 1:1 rubbing alcohol/tap water solution.
Wipe down each leaf, including the underside, and the stem.
Next, fill a spray bottle halfway with the solution and liberally…
…wet the entire plant before allowing it to air dry.
Another option is to combine 16 oz of warm water with 12 teaspoon liquid dish soap.
Fill a spray bottle halfway with soapy water and saturate the plant, allowing it to air dry!
If neither of these options works for you and you want to…
…remain natural, it may be time to call in the big guns.
Natural predators can help you get rid of mites while also protecting your other plants.
Ladybugs are a good choice, but you could also use Spider Mite Destroyers.
Unfortunately, even if you do want to use less-natural options..,
…standard pesticides often have no effect on these vexing spiders.
You must use a miticide or something that is specifically designed to kill these insects.
Keep an eye out!
Mites thrive in hot, dry conditions, so it’s critical to check your plants for them on a regular basis.
If at all possible, spritz your plants to maintain a reasonable level of humidity.
Give your plants a neem oil bath every now and then to help prevent pest infestations.
Identifying Spider Mites: What Do You Need to Know
Credit: wikipedia.org
A spider mite is as small as a grain of sand and can be nearly invisible to the naked eye.
Nonetheless, spider mites leave telltale signs that can help you identify them on infected plants:
A magnifying glass can aid in the detection of small spider mites.
Examine the undersides of plant leaves for what appear…
…to be many grains of ground black pepper, red specks, or other earthy-colored dots.
With a magnifying glass, you can see their ovular bodies and eight legs..,
…or a dot on their front and back for two-spotted spider mites.
Spider mites can be found on the undersides of leaves.
Place a sheet of paper beneath a leaf and gently pat it.
Use plain white paper to make it easier to see any mites that fall off the leaf.
Predatory spider mites feed on plants, biting into green leaves..
…with their sharp mouthparts and discoloring or wilting parts or entire plants.
Spider mites may have eaten your plants, causing them to yellow or become disfigured.
Spider mites, as the name implies, spin webs like spiders to protect themselves.
Spider mites can be identified by wispy white threads of webbing on plant leaves.
What Should I Do To Webs Out My Snake Plants?
Use neem oil to get rid of the spider mites.
You can create a liquid treatment with 1/3 rubbing alcohol and 2/3 water for snake plants.
Then, spray snake plants with a spray bottle.
This can also be used to kill mealybugs and other insects.
Finally, if you have a severe infestation, you can add another treatment to kill spider mites.
To Remind You
Despite the fact that snake plant care is minimal, you should always…
…be more careful of spider mites on snake plants.
They thrive in moist soil that isn’t waterlogged, and if you offer them…
…some partial or direct sunlight once a week, you’ll notice that they grow larger.
Remember to pour some water.
It should be between 8 and 12 a.m. if you place them in direct sunlight.
Reduce watering to once every 15 days or more throughout the winter months.
Sum Up
It’s easy steps, right?
Snake plant mites, also known as snake plant spider mites, are frequent pests that can harm your plant.
To get rid of snake plant spider mites, you’ll need to take specific procedures..,
…and here we have already discussed some important points to remember while doing so.
Love your plants before they die or wilt!
You should give them protection and do prevention before the diseases…
…come up in the snake plants.
Using earthworm casting on your plant soil will help your snake plant grow happily.
Have you ever lost your snake plants because of the snake plant spider mites? Share your story with us!
Frequently Asked Questions
What are snake plant spider mites and what do they look like?
Little, white or yellow spiders that overwinter as eggs on the tips of the leaves are known as snake plant spider mites.
The mites emerge and begin to feed on the plant’s sap when the factory re-opens in the spring. On the leaves, they appear as tiny white or yellow spots.
What are some tips for treating snake plant spider mites?
Warming the plant thoroughly and using a nitrogen-based fertilizer are two tips for treating snake plant spider mites.
How often should I check my plants for signs of a spider Mite infestation?
When new pest spots appear, the best time to check for signs of Spider Mite infestation is then.
Check your plants frequently and remove the infected ones or sections as soon as possible.
Meanwhile, to eliminate spiders and mites, follow these suggestions:
- Remove infected plants or parts as soon as feasible
- Apply an insecticidal soap spray to aphids, mealybugs, whiteflies, and spider mites
- Water and fertilize your plants.
How can I identify snake plant spider mites on my plants?
Snake plant spider mites can be identified by reviewing their infestation patterns.
They move about on the tips of leaves and are usually yellowish or reddish in color.
Is it necessary to treat my entire garden with an insecticide when dealing with snake plant spider mites?
It is not necessary to treat your entire garden with an insecticide when dealing with snake plant spider mites.
A couple of applications of an appropriate insecticide will usually control the spider mites.
Can a Plant Recover from Spider Mites?
While it is not uncommon for plants to be affected by spider mites..,
…some can recover while others may need to be treated.
If the plant seems healthy but has a high population of spider mites..,
…then you may want to treat the plant with a broad-spectrum…
…insecticide such as pyrethrin or permethrin.
These products are effective against both Spider Mites and other pests…
…such as aphids or grasshoppers.
If the plant appears unhealthy despite having low populations of spider mites..,
…then it might require more intensive treatment.
This could involve using neem oil or another organic pest control product…
…that is specifically formulated for use on plants.
It’s important to remember that treating your plants does not mean…
…they will automatically bounce back fromSpider Mite infestations;
there are many factors involved in tree health and recovery so please…
…consult with a Arborist before making any decisions related to pesticide use on trees.