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Plant pests

Spider Mites: Identification, Damage, and Treatment

Spider mites are tiny (under 0.5 mm) arachnids that live on the undersides of leaves. The first sign is fine silk webbing on stems and pale stippled damage on leaves.

How to identify spider mites

Spider mite damage signs

Spider mites suck plant sap from individual cells, creating distinctive damage:

Spider mites vs other tiny plant pests

Spider mites vs common look-alikes

Spider mites

Size
<0.5 mm, 8 legs
Webbing
Yes, fine silk
Where on plant
Underside of leaves; hot dry plants

Aphids

Size
1–4 mm, 6 legs, pear-shaped
Webbing
No
Where on plant
New growth, leaf undersides

Whiteflies

Size
1–2 mm, white winged
Webbing
No
Where on plant
Underside of leaves; fly when disturbed

Thrips

Size
1–2 mm, thin
Webbing
No
Where on plant
Flowers and leaves; cause silver streaks

Clover mites

Size
0.75 mm, bright red
Webbing
No
Where on plant
Window sills, walls, NOT plants

Clover mites are the red specks on window sills, covered in our tiny red bugs guide. If the insects are bigger and pear-shaped, use the aphid identifier instead. Silver streaks with black specks and no webbing point to thrips, which need a longer treatment.

How to get rid of spider mites

  1. Confirm spider mites by the webbing test

    Hold a sheet of white paper under a leaf and gently tap. Tiny moving dots that look like dust are mites. Fine silk webbing on stems and leaf undersides is the diagnostic.

  2. Rinse the plant thoroughly

    Hose down the leaves (especially undersides) with a strong stream of water. Repeat every 2–3 days. Spider mites hate moisture.

  3. Apply neem oil

    Mix per label and spray under and over the leaves. Apply in the evening to avoid leaf burn. Neem oil disrupts mite reproduction over 1–2 weeks.

  4. Use insecticidal soap or horticultural oil

    Both kill mites on contact and break down without long residue. Coat all leaf surfaces, especially undersides.

  5. Release predatory mites (severe cases)

    Phytoseiulus persimilis and other predatory mites are sold for serious infestations on indoor and greenhouse plants. They eat spider mites and disappear when food runs out.

  6. Raise humidity

    Spider mites love hot, dry air. A small humidifier near houseplants or weekly misting reduces populations naturally.

Pest control disclaimer. Photo-based identification can help, but it is not always perfect. For dangerous spiders, large infestations, or anything you are unsure about, contact a licensed pest control professional.

Frequently asked questions

How do I identify spider mites on plants?
Spider mites are <0.5 mm, visible as moving dust on leaf undersides. The clearest sign is fine silk webbing on stems and leaves, plus pale stippled (dotted) damage on the upper leaf surface.
What do spider mites look like?
Spider mites are tiny eight-legged arachnids (not insects). They range from yellow-green to red. The two-spotted spider mite is the most common indoor pest.
What does spider mite webbing look like?
Fine, gauzy silk threads on the underside of leaves and along stems. Heavy infestations cover entire shoots with a cottony web that catches dust.
What causes spider mites on plants?
Hot, dry air, dusty leaves, and crowded plants. Spider mites thrive in temperatures above 27 °C (80 °F) and low humidity. New plants and recently used outdoor pots often introduce them indoors.
Will spider mites kill my plant?
Severe infestations can. Spider mites suck plant sap, causing the stippled damage that reduces photosynthesis. A heavily infested plant turns yellow, drops leaves, and may die if untreated for weeks.
Are spider mites the same as clover mites?
No. Spider mites live on plants and damage them. Clover mites live in lawns and end up indoors on window sills, they don't damage plants or homes. See our tiny red spiders guide for clover mites.
Do spider mites bite humans?
Spider mites don't bite people. The 'bite' some people report after gardening is usually from a different mite (chigger, bird mite) or skin irritation.
How long does it take to get rid of spider mites?
With consistent treatment, 2–4 weeks. Mites reproduce quickly and eggs hatch in waves, so weekly treatment for at least three weeks is needed even after they look gone.
How do I check for spider mites?
Hold a sheet of white paper under a suspect leaf and tap the leaf sharply. Tiny specks that start crawling across the paper are spider mites. Then check leaf undersides with a magnifying glass for fine silk webbing and look at the top surface for pale stippled dots, those three signs together confirm spider mites.
What is a red spider mite?
"Red spider mite" usually refers to the two-spotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticae) in its orange-red overwintering form, or to the fruit-tree red spider mite. They cause the same webbing and stippling as other spider mites and respond to the same treatment. Bright red mites on window sills or walls that don't touch plants are clover mites, not spider mites.

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