How to Prevent Spider Mites on Tomato Plants
Check your plants on a regular basis for any signs of infestation., Ensure that any plants that you purchase are not already infected., Space your plants fairly far apart., Keep plants misted (inside greenhouse and outside)., Allow the air in your...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Check your plants on a regular basis for any signs of infestation.
Look for signs such as movement, or clusters of eggs.
It may help to use a magnifying glass. -
Step 2: Ensure that any plants that you purchase are not already infected.
Check them carefully before purchasing or bringing them home. , Provide enough space so that mites cannot easily move from plant to plant.
A few inches or centimeters will be far enough. , Also, keep the humidity high (if using a greenhouse). ,, This will prevent bugs and insects from entering. , Discard or burn these plants; do not compost them as this will spread the disease. , Place these around your pots. , It is important that you introduce them before there is a large infestation, so that they can adequately control it. , Destroy them by squishing or drowning.
This works with only very mild cases of infestation. , Be careful to not spray them onto another plant. , Repeat this application every few days.
The spray will not destroy eggs so you must continue to apply to kill all the hatched mites. , Repeat this application every 4 to 5 days. , You can make your own insecticidal soap as follows:
Mix together 2 tablespoons of liquid dish soap, 4 oz. ethyl alcohol (use the cheapest vodka you can find) and 12-16 oz. water.
Transfer the resulting solution to a spray bottle.
Spray on the tomato plants.
You'll find that it works on other insects too. , Place 1 oz. (28.4 g) of garlic in a blender with 2 to 3 oz. (57 to 85 g) of onion, 1 oz. (28.4 g) of cloves, 1 oz. (28.4 g) of cayenne pepper and 1 cup (237 ml) of water.
Blend to combine.
Add this mixture to 1 gallon (3.79 l) of room-temperature water and spray 3 times over 5 days.
This is a preventative measure but will also kill young mites. , This will suffocate the mites but won't damage the plants. , Follow the directions on the label for safety measures. -
Step 3: Space your plants fairly far apart.
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Step 4: Keep plants misted (inside greenhouse and outside).
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Step 5: Allow the air in your greenhouse (if applicable) to circulate.
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Step 6: Install screening over any open windows (if applicable).
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Step 7: Remove any already infected plants.
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Step 8: Prevent migration from plant to plant by using sticky paper strips.
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Step 9: Use natural predators such as those that feed on spider mites ("Phytoseiulus persimilis
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Step 10: " "Neoseiulus californicus" or "Mesoseiulus longipes").
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Step 11: Pick off any mites or eggs by hand.
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Step 12: Spray plants using a stream of water to knock mites off the underside of leaves.
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Step 13: Spray hot pepper wax onto leaves (underside) to kill the mites.
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Step 14: Smother the mites by spraying with a 1/2 cup (113.4 g) of flour and 1/2 cup (118.3 ml) of milk mixed with 1 gallon (3.8 l) of water.
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Step 15: Spray plants with an insecticidal soap to kill the mites but not damage the plants.
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Step 16: Prepare a garlic mixture.
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Step 17: Spray plants with a horticultural oil.
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Step 18: Use any popular insecticide spray if necessary.
Detailed Guide
Look for signs such as movement, or clusters of eggs.
It may help to use a magnifying glass.
Check them carefully before purchasing or bringing them home. , Provide enough space so that mites cannot easily move from plant to plant.
A few inches or centimeters will be far enough. , Also, keep the humidity high (if using a greenhouse). ,, This will prevent bugs and insects from entering. , Discard or burn these plants; do not compost them as this will spread the disease. , Place these around your pots. , It is important that you introduce them before there is a large infestation, so that they can adequately control it. , Destroy them by squishing or drowning.
This works with only very mild cases of infestation. , Be careful to not spray them onto another plant. , Repeat this application every few days.
The spray will not destroy eggs so you must continue to apply to kill all the hatched mites. , Repeat this application every 4 to 5 days. , You can make your own insecticidal soap as follows:
Mix together 2 tablespoons of liquid dish soap, 4 oz. ethyl alcohol (use the cheapest vodka you can find) and 12-16 oz. water.
Transfer the resulting solution to a spray bottle.
Spray on the tomato plants.
You'll find that it works on other insects too. , Place 1 oz. (28.4 g) of garlic in a blender with 2 to 3 oz. (57 to 85 g) of onion, 1 oz. (28.4 g) of cloves, 1 oz. (28.4 g) of cayenne pepper and 1 cup (237 ml) of water.
Blend to combine.
Add this mixture to 1 gallon (3.79 l) of room-temperature water and spray 3 times over 5 days.
This is a preventative measure but will also kill young mites. , This will suffocate the mites but won't damage the plants. , Follow the directions on the label for safety measures.
About the Author
Benjamin Wells
Professional writer focused on creating easy-to-follow crafts tutorials.
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