Spider Mites: Detection and Control

To the naked eye, these tiny spider relatives look like red, green, or yellow flecks on foliage. Prevalent in inland areas with warm summers, they attack many trees, shrubs, vines. Infested leaves turn yellow, may have fine webbing. Confirm by holding white paper under leaves and tapping—mites drop as rapidly moving specks.

Control

Wash off with strong water blasts, follow with soap spray. Dust in late summer encourages mites; they prefer dry air, so regular leaf rinsing is excellent control. Summer oil and sulfur also work, but never together—they're toxic to plants in combination. If using one, wait 1 month before the other.

Chemical controls not recommended.