SPIDER MITE HISTORY *
Spider mites used to be strictly an outside pest. They would infest cotton, corn and other food crops causing enough damage to ruin the harvest. Awareness and treatments for this pest has enabled
farmers to control populations, but the spider mites have remained persistent. They are now common around the home choosing to live on any plant or shrub they can find. Juniper, arborvitae,
succulents and pine trees are common hosts, but just about any vegetation will do. In recent years, spider mites have found their way inside. The increase of plants in the home and the practice of
keeping some plants outside for the summer and inside for the winter have allowed the spider mite to become an indoor pest. They do not commonly migrate inside but in fact are being carried in by the
homeowners and horticulturists.
SPIDER MITE DAMAGE *
Plants that have spider mite damage will have the mites themselves, web like material on the bottom sides of plant leaves, bronzing of the plant stem and leaves where activity is highest and in
extreme cases, plant death. Unlike other mites, spider mites can reproduce quickly. Several cycles may be complete in one season. If conditions are good, they may go through all cycles in under a
month. Their cycle includes egg, nymph, two molts of the nymph and then adult. Since they don’t migrate quickly, most populations will grow around each other, slowly moving outward as their
population increases. The main part of their nest is usually where damage is most prevalent. Expect to find dead leaves and plant parts. Upon closer observation, you will see the mites feeding or
slowly moving if you disturb them.
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