Expert: Jim Hyland - 8/1/2010

Question
I have red spiders in my tiny Italian cypress and I need to know if they are causing them to die from the inside out?  How do I get rid of them?

Answer
Check and see if this is spider mites. Take a piece of white paper and put under a branch and shake the branch IF there is a red dust getting on the paper this is spider mites (they are small and the dust will look like it is moving. The spider mite can be controlled by the use of Insecticidal soap or insecticides. I prefer using regular insecticides, I suggest that you go to your local nursery /garden type store and ask for an insecticide for spider mites that works in your area. Here is a web site that gives information on spider mites and their control. http://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/2000/2012.html