If you’ve got an indoor Monstera, then you probably know that it might have some possible issues — one of them being spider mites. Spider mites are tiny, sap-sucking baddies that can do serious harm to your monstera if they’re not dealt with. No worries, though, there are things you can do to spot and get rid of them from your favorite indoor plant. In this article, we’ll chat about the signs and symptoms of Spider Mites on Monstera, and how to give them the boot. With a few easy steps, you can keep your beloved plant healthy and free from Spider Mites. Let’s dive in!
Identifying Spider mites on Monstera plants
Spider mites on Monstera plants can be a big headache, but they don’t have to stay a pain. With correct spotting and preventative actions, you can keep your Monstera bug-free. Spider mites are super tiny, usually about as big as 1/50th of an inch. Their colors can range from red, yellow, to green, although they typically have a reddish-brown appearance.
To effectively diagnose a spider mite infestation:
- Location: Spider mites are most commonly found on the undersides of leaves. This is where they create fine webbing, a signature sign of their presence.
- The White Paper Test: To see if your Monstera has spider mites, hold a piece of white paper under a leaf and give it a gentle shake. If small moving dots appear on the paper, then your plant likely has spider mites.
- Signs of Damage: Spider mites feed on the sap of plants. When they suck the sap out of leaves, they deprive the foliage of essential water and nutrients. This feeding action can cause the monstera leaves to curl, yellow monstera leaves, and eventually drop. Apart from their direct feeding damage, spider mites produce a toxin that further harms the plant. This toxin intensifies the yellowing of the leaves, leading them to drop prematurely. In extreme cases, spider mites can completely defoliate a Monstera plant, causing all its leaves to fall off. If left unchecked, this severe infestation can lead to the plant’s death.
How to get rid of spider mites on Monstera
Giving spider mites on Monstera the boot is a bit tricky, but it can be done with the right know-how and stuff.
Physical Removal
A while ago I had been at war with these pesky spider mites for a whole year which caused half of my leaves to disappear.
Here’s the way I handled it:
First, I washed the leaves of the Monstera with a mild soap solution. Just a little soap in water does the trick.
Then, I took a soft cloth – you can use a sponge too – and gently wiped away any spider mites or eggs that I could spot. It’s a meticulous job, but worth it.
After that, I rinsed the leaves thoroughly with water to ensure no soap residue was left.
And the important part is consistency. Repeat this process every few days until you no longer see any spider mites.
After I treated it with the above physical removal method within a few weeks, the spider mites were gone and my Monstera is now thriving.
Insecticidal Soaps
Insecticidal soaps, loaded with bug-toxic fatty acids, offer a good fix to spider mite problems on Monstera. The application involves making a mix in a spray bottle as the package says. The mix should be thoroughly sprayed on both sides of the leaves. After letting it sit for about 10-15 minutes, making sure all bugs are killed, it should be rinsed off. For a complete wipe-out, do this every 3-5 days until all spider mites are gone from your favorite Monstera plant.
Neem Oil
Another option for getting rid of spider mites on Monstera is to use neem oil. This organic pesticide comes from the seeds of a tropical evergreen tree and it works by disrupting the mites’ life cycle, stopping them from multiplying and spreading. To use neem oil, mix it with water as the package says and spray it directly onto the leaves. Be sure to cover both sides of the leaves and let the solution sit for 10-15 minutes before rinsing.
Natural Predators
If you’re up for a more nature-friendly way to boot out spider mites from your Monstera, you can use bug hunters like ladybugs, predatory mites, and lacewings. These little critters love snacking on spider mites and you can get them from garden stores or online. Once you let them loose, they’ll chase down and wipe out any spider mites on the plant.
Related: Facing issues with your Monstera? Explore our guide on Common Monstera pests and Diseases: How to deal with them for solutions.
Prevention monstera spider mites
Spider mites, loving dry vibes, pose a big threat to Monstera plants. To keep them away, keep things humid around your plant by using a humidifier, spritzing the leaves regularly, or putting it with other plants that love wetness. You gotta water regularly, as these pests are drawn to stressed plants, so, water your Monstera when the top inch of soil feels dry.
Regular plant check-ups are crucial to spotting bugs early, signs include tiny, colored spots on the leaves, visible webbing, or crawling insects. Upon detecting pests, promptly isolate the affected Monstera to stop the bugs spreading more. Treat infestations using insecticidal soaps, neem oil, or horticultural oil, always following product instructions meticulously.
Conclusion
Spider mites on Monstera can be a tough issue to handle, but you can get rid of them and stop them from coming back. By getting rid by hand, using insecticidal soaps, neem oil and bug hunters like ladybugs and lacewings, you can say goodbye to spider mites from your plant. Regular checks are important to avoid future bug problems, so make sure to eyeball your Monstera regularly and act quick if you see any signs of trouble. With the right know-how and products, Famiplants hopes you can keep your Monstera no more spider mites for good.
