Along with aphids, spider mites are some of the most common uninvited guests you’ll find on your orchids. These tiny parasites are almost impossible to spot when they first move in, but don’t worry—I’ve got you covered. Here’s how to catch an infestation early and treat it like a pro.
Symptoms of a Spider Mite Infestation
Spider mites are incredibly small—usually between 0.1 and 0.8 mm—making them nearly invisible to the naked eye. However, they leave behind a tell-tale sign: fine, white webbing on the stems and leaves. These webs look a lot like miniature spider webs. If you suspect something is up, give your orchid a light misting with water; the tiny droplets will cling to the silk and make the webs much easier to see.
As the infestation progresses, you’ll notice a silvery sheen on the usually green leaves. If things get serious, you’ll start to see brown or even black spots that grow and spread over time.
So, why are these little guys so dangerous? Spider mites bite into the delicate leaf veins repeatedly to get to that tasty plant sap. This destroys the leaf tissue, which eventually causes the entire leaf to die off.
How to Get Rid of Spider Mites
When it comes to fighting back, I always recommend starting with natural and eco-friendly methods. Orchids can be pretty sensitive to harsh chemical sprays anyway. Your best bet is a neem oil-based product, like Compo Bio Insect-Free Neem. Another great “green” option is introducing natural predators, like predatory mites, which will happily snack on your spider mite problem for you.
If you’re dealing with a really stubborn or advanced infestation, you might need to step it up to an acaricide (a pesticide specifically for mites). Dr. Stähler’s Kanemite Spider Mite-Free is a tried-and-true choice here. If even that doesn’t do the trick, you might have to consider saying goodbye to that specific orchid and disposing of it to keep the pests from spreading to the rest of your plant family.
Preventing Future Infestations
Unfortunately, there’s no 100% foolproof way to prevent spider mites. However, these pests absolutely love dry air. The best thing you can do is keep your humidity levels up. Your orchid will love you for it anyway! Make it a habit to regularly mist the aerial roots and leaves with lukewarm water to keep the environment less “mite-friendly.”
