Is this spider mites? How best to treat it?
I’m concerned my daughter’s succulent has spider mites it brought home with it when we bought Tally a month ago. It’s hard to see the webs in the second picture. I tested a spray with thyme oil, cinnamon bark oil, and peppermint oil (also has Castile soap and Potassium Silicate) on one leaf as directed. It and another nearby are yellowing, but they also get smushed by the pot edge so I’m not sure if I should use the spray or not. Any insights? My 4yo would be very upset if I killed her plant. #PearlEcheveria #SucculentLove #PestControl #NewPlantMom #PlantsMakePeopleHappy
0ft to light, direct
4” pot with drainage
Last watered 1 week ago
12
Try watering with mosquito bits. Take an eighth of a cup of mosquito bits in a teabag or cheese cloth, and steep it in about 2 to 3 cups of water. Let the water cool down and water your succulent with this mixture in alignment to when you water this plant. You can also use systemic insect house plant preventative granules and sprinkle them on top of the soil mix it in without causing root damage and water thoroughly. The systemic granules are more of a preventative before you get pests so I would try using the mosquito bits first. You can also make a plant spray with 2 cups of water, 2 tablespoons of neem oil, a tablespoon of peppermint Castile soap, and 5 to 6 drops of isopropyl alcohol. All these methods are what I use personally for pest control and have never had a problem. I keep the mosquito bits on standby but have never needed to use them because the granules work so well. Like I said before the granules are a preventative so try the mosquito bits first if you wish.
@Hydrahydrangea @JoyfulZzplant40 Hi there, while I am more of a tropical plant person, I needed to say something here. Mosquito bits will not help with spider mites. The beneficial bacteria in them, BTI, only targets certain aquatic or soil dwelling larvae like mosquitos and fungus gnat larvae. Systemic granuals will 💯 make spider mites worse. It’s like a turbo boost for them. Please do not use or recommend these products for spider mites. Plus, systemic granules will absolutely get into the water system and hurt pollinators, it is not to be used casually. Emily, I know you’re trying to help. It’s important that we only recommend things that won’t hurt other people’s plants.
That being said, @JoyfulZzplant40 Your plant looks very healthy and I don’t see any signs of spider mites. It’s normal to have a leaf or two yellow and drop after a change in environment. Your soil does look a little wet though. A change to a chunkier succulent soil with a lot of extra perlite in it will help.
That being said, @JoyfulZzplant40 Your plant looks very healthy and I don’t see any signs of spider mites. It’s normal to have a leaf or two yellow and drop after a change in environment. Your soil does look a little wet though. A change to a chunkier succulent soil with a lot of extra perlite in it will help.
@JoyfulZzplant40 look for a singular little tiny spider somewhere near the webbing. If you can’t find it, clean all the webs off and monitor. They might have already left. If it is spider mites, I can share the treatment.
@DreamMachine thanks! Tally just got watered a few days ago and I’m watering every 2 weeks so far. My house is relatively cool (69-71 degrees) but she sits in the window usually. I did just get succulent potting mix but haven’t repotted since purchasing her.
@DreamMachine thanks! I’ve cleaned the webs off once and they came back but have not looked closely/seen a spider yet.
@JoyfulZzplant40 okay, get a magnifying glass or jewelers loop and look for them . If you only see one, it’s mostly likely just a harmless regular spider. I’m leaning towards this because you will often notice spider mite damage before you see the spider mites.
But for now, since your soil looked wet, you will need to ease off regular watering. When you bring home a succulent they won’t be drinking much from the change of scenery and shock. If you put a paper towel folded up underneath the drainage holes it will help suck out extra moisture. Then go very lightly on the water for the next several weeks, and only water if you see that the soil is 💯 dry.
But for now, since your soil looked wet, you will need to ease off regular watering. When you bring home a succulent they won’t be drinking much from the change of scenery and shock. If you put a paper towel folded up underneath the drainage holes it will help suck out extra moisture. Then go very lightly on the water for the next several weeks, and only water if you see that the soil is 💯 dry.
@DreamMachine do spider mites target succulents?
For some reason i never thought they would no clue tho
“I think it’s a baby jumping spider”
🧐don’t kill it if it is! Do a lil research on them & you’ll be amazed lol @JoyfulZzplant40
For some reason i never thought they would no clue tho
“I think it’s a baby jumping spider”
🧐don’t kill it if it is! Do a lil research on them & you’ll be amazed lol @JoyfulZzplant40
@Slyvie that’s good to hear!