Common Pest: Spider Mites

Spider mites, or Tetranynchus urticae, are insect pests that infest most commonly on a wide range of plants and in hot, dry climates. Spider mites are extremely minuscule and barely reach ½ mm. The development stage that the spider mite goes through starts with an egg then evolves into a larvae. Before the spider mite grows into its full form, it begins to develop into a nymph, which is smaller than the adult-sized spider mite. Finally, the adult spider mite has formed. The body of a full-grown spider mite is oval-shaped with eight legs for mobility. Spider mites tend to be either red or green. However, the most common kind would be the two-spotted spider mite, which is light in color and has dark blotches on both the left and right sides of the abdomen.

There are a few telltale signs of spider mite infestations to keep an eye out for. One very noticeable sign is small spider-like webs that have been created among the leaves of plants. Since spider mites are related to spiders, they have web-making abilities and can form them around plants. Along with creating webs, as they feed on plants the spider mites can cause the discoloration of plants. With spider mite infestations, homeowners may suffer through delayed planting and damaged plants, which could affect food supply or home maintenance.

Spider mites are one of the more difficult pests to eradicate. One of the most frequently used techniques for dealing with spider mites is to use water to drown them, as spider mites are temporarily pushed away from plants. The best way to avoid using large amounts of water to wash out spider mites and damaging your plants, is to keep the plants and area moist since these garden pests thrive in hot areas. Predators such as ladybugs and certain types of beetles prey on spider mites, which is a natural way to free the garden of pests. Introducing these predators may help gardens be free of spider mites. Soap spray is another effective tool to use to clean the garden of spider mites. Once the spray has been applied to plants, gently wash off spider mite infested areas. Sometimes, though, a professional is the only answer. For severe spider mite infestations, don’t hesitate to call the pest control experts at Bugs by Brian. Whether homeowners choose to use water or pesticides, spider mite infestations must be dealt with immediately before the population grows rapidly, making it much harder to handle.

Residents or business owners who suspect a spider mite infestation should retain the services of the professional exterminators at Bugs by Brian. Professional spider mite extermination service begins with a thorough examination of the household or business. Once the infestation is controlled, our expert exterminators can help homeowners and business owners make an effective plan to prevent the spider mites problem from recurring.