Expert: Darlene K. Kittle - 6/25/2009

Question
QUESTION: WE HAVE NEVER HAD SPIDERS IN OUR HOME HOWEVER NOW THAT WE HAVE PLANTS I HAVE WEBS ALL OVER AND HAVE LOST SEVERAL PLANTS HERE LATELY.  DO THEY EFFECT ALL PLANTS?  I SEE NO WEBBING ON THE PLANTS THAT HAVE DIED OR DYING. HOW DO I GET RID OF THEM?  HELP!!!!!!!

ANSWER: Doris,

For starters literally hose them off. Take your plants outside and use the hose with a strong spray of water spray the foliage on all the plants that you see webs on. Spray each plant for at least a half minute thoroughly. You can wash most spider mites off.  While the plants are outdoors you can treat them with an insecticide from a garden center that is labeled to take care of spider mites and follow the instructions on the bottle. Or you can take the plants back in and just watch closely for more signs of webs.

If the plants are small you can spray them in the kitchen sink with the hose. That will also work to remove spider mites just spray it for a full minute then watch it closely for signs of future spider mites.

Spider mites usually attack plants that are stressed when the air is too dry. The plants are usually stressed because of being watered too often or not often enough. If you want to discuss watering email me back and let me know what kind of plants you have and how often you are watering them. Good luck.

Darlene

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: will spraying off my begonias with water be okay and will the insecticide hurt any of my plants or are they for all plants.  i am really worried because i have 25 new plants coming via fed ex next week.

Answer
Doris,

I would sray the begonia with a light stream of water so it is not damaged. You will have to look on the insecticide as to which plant youcan spray it on. You should not use any insecticide on jades. You cannot use an insecticide for trees and shrubs on houseplants. You need to let the store know what you are buying it for.

All your plants must be in pots with drainage holes and drain trays under them. Without good drainage they will drown. You should never leave them sitting with water in the drain tray. The pots should not be too large for the plants. The plants rootball should nearly fill up the pot. If it is too large a pot it will put the plant in stress.

Good luck.

Darlene