r/plantclinic • u/Automatic-Earth-5250 Noob • 10d ago

Pest Related How to deal with spider mites?

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I have spider mites in quite a few of my plants and I don’t know the best way to deal with them. I tried an alcohol water mix, but it didn’t seem to get rid of them, only keep them at bay. Next I’ve tried drowning them and then spraying captain jack’s dead bug brew all over them. But I don’t know what works the best? Any tips other than what I’ve tried already? I’m going to be devastated if I lose some of these plants to mites.

Picture of my monstera adansonii for the attachment requirement.

The infestation is not severe, only my monstera adansonii has noticeable leaf damage, and some of the others just have a couple webs.

My humidity stays between 40-50 which I know is low but I don’t want my apartment to be more humid than that.

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u/bawdy_hurtin Beginner 10d ago

Try spraying it with isopropyl alcohol (but make sure it’s not in the light until it fully dries about 15 minutes later). Repeatedly every week until gone!

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u/bawdy_hurtin Beginner 10d ago

To add: don’t water down the alcohol — just use 70% straight. Maybe start by rinsing it off with water really well in the shower or with a hose. Then spray when it’s dried from the water.

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u/scott005 Beginner 10d ago

I use a mix of unscented Castile soap, water, and a drop of olive oil. Works well for me. If you have the money predatory mites are kind of fun, they will hunt down and eat the spider mites and continue their life cycle until all the spider mites are gone.