Spider Mites on Ivy: Identification and Treatment

Confirming Spider Mites

Tiny white bugs with fine webbing on leaf undersides = spider mites. Common on Hedera (English ivy). They suck sap, causing stippling, yellowing, and leaf drop.

Effective Treatments

1. Insecticidal soap or liquid dish soap (1 tsp/quart water): Spray thoroughly — tops, undersides, stems. Repeat every 5–7 days for 3–4 weeks.
2. Hot Pepper Wax: Repellent and contact killer.
3. Sink dunk (small plants): Invert plant into a sink of soapy water; swirl 30 seconds.

Key to Success: 100% Coverage

Miss a few mites → reinfestation in weeks. Treat at first sign ("dust" on leaf undersides).

Prevention

• Inspect weekly.
• Increase humidity (mites hate it).
• Isolate new plants.
• Shower plants monthly.

Discarding Heavily Infested Plants

If a large hanging ivy is totally covered, disposal may be wiser than prolonged battle.