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Killing spider mites that eat ornamentals, vegetables and fruit trees is something gardeners want to do as soon as they see the damage the insects can do. There are a couple of inexpensive, homemade remedies that are excellent for killing spider mites. There are also chemical applications that can be applied when an infestation has been determined. The choice of which way to address the situation is up to the gardener.
How To Determine If Spider Mites Are Present
Spider mites are tiny insects that multiply rapidly so promptly killing spider mites is key to limiting the damage they incur on the plant. There is a simple routine an individual can do to verify that they are dealing with spider mites. Place a piece of ordinary plain paper below the leaves of the plant suspected to be hosting spider mites. Shake the branch and then inspect the piece of paper closely. If there are any moving little flecks on the paper, spider mites are present.
Inexpensive Homemade Remedies
Two easy to make and apply solutions to killing spider mites can be made with common household ingredients in a matter of minutes. The first option is to mix five tablespoons of liquid dish soap in one gallon of water. Put a portion of the mixture in a hand-held pump or hose sprayer and coat the infected plant with the solution. As soon as the spray comes in contact it will kill the spider mites. Wetting down both sides of all the leaves on the plant will take care of the spider mite population instantly. Equally as effective at killing spider mites is a mixture of one part rubbing alcohol and one part water. This mixture is poisonous but will not damage the plant as it evaporates quickly after being applied the same as the soapy water solution.
Chemical Remedies To Kill Spider Mites
An insecticide that works quickly on spider mites is niticide. Applications of the pesticide must be made every 5 days until the infestation is wiped out. The draw back to the use of niticide is that it damages the plants. With the elevated awareness today of the long term effects of chemicals on human as well as plant life, it is often the choice of gardeners to for go using insecticides or pesticides when simpler solutions work equally as effectively.
When the vegetables, fruits, and houseplants you enjoy are threatened by spider mites it is within your ability to quickly stop the onslaught. Killing spider mites with a mixture of ordinary dish soap or rubbing alcohol and water has only the cost of the time to mix it up and apply it attached to it. The solutions do not hurt the plant or other beneficial insects that are spider mites natural enemies. After applying any agents to control insect populations the produce from the plants need to be washed before consuming but the soap and alcohol remedies are the least likely to carry any residual impact for human consumption.
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Author Bio Box: Patricia Wainwright
Get all the facts about Pest and Disease and gardening articles at GreenThumbArticles.com!
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