Eek, “spider mites” just sounds scary and they could definitely be infecting your indoor plants. To check, look to see if there are any finely spun webs on your plant; next, look underneath the leaves for stippling or yellowing.
Honestly, spider mites are so tiny that they can be nearly impossible to see with the naked eye. However, if you do see these little yellow dots, that should be enough of a sign to take action.
Close-up photo of a Red Spider Mite
Natural Remedies for Spider Mites
Soak a cloth in a solution of 1:1 rubbing alcohol and tap water. Carefully wipe down each leaf, including underneath, and the stem. Next, add the solution to a spray bottle and generously wet the entire plant, allowing it to air dry.
Another option is to mix 16 oz of warm water with a ½ tsp liquid dishwashing soap. Pour the soapy solution into a spray bottle and douse the plant, allowing to air dry.
Keep an Eye Out
It’s important to regularly check your plants for mites as they thrive in hot and dry and conditions. If possible, spritz your plants every now and again to maintain a reasonable level of humidity (especially during winter when the heater is running). Every now and again, give your plants a neem oil bath to help prevent all sorts of infestations.
Sources
Featured image source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Spidermites-gardenia.jpg
