Treating Spider Mites on Roses

How to Get Rid of Spider Mites on Roses

For many home horticulturists, roses are one of the most beautiful plants to have around the house. But like any foliage, they are susceptible to the feared spider mite; an invasive species that seems to do very well in the same environments where roses thrive. If your rose bushes do experience a spider mite infestation you must be diligent, but careful, in order to rid yourself of these pests. There are several methods you can use in combination to solve the problem.

Plenty of Water

Spider mites reproduce and spread most readily in areas where temperatures are above 70°F and moisture is low. That’s why areas like Texas, Arkansas, and Southern California have such a high incidence of spider mite infestations. One of the simplest things you can do to stave off an infestation is to regularly water your roses and keep the surrounding soil damp. In especially warm environments you should use plenty of mulch in order to hold moisture in.

When you water your roses make sure you thoroughly soak all of the leaves and stems. Petals are not as much of a problem, although they can be, because spider mites prefer to live on the undersides of leaves. By making sure leaves and stems are soaked you will be washing away mites, their eggs, and any invitation for the pests to return. Also be sure to water first thing in the morning and in the early evening so as to allow your plants to drive before sundown.

Treatment Application

The second part of the program involves either a miticide or a natural substance in a multi-part treatment plan. There are several miticides known to work with roses, but they can have unintended consequences. For example, some miticides kill other insects as well, which results in the loss of the mite’s natural predators. Miticides can also be damaging if used during the flowering stage.

With an all-natural treatment, such as Liquid Ladybug Spider Mite Spray, you have a substance that works equally well without posing the added dangers.

Apply your treatment at the first signs of infestation in order to kill the adult spider mites. Then, to interrupt the breeding cycle and bring the infestation to an end, you’ll need to apply another treatment on the following day. One final treatment 6 days later should completely obliterate the current round of spider mites. After that, a follow-up treatment every month or so will do the trick.

Diligence

The last part of your treatment plan involves being diligent to regularly check your roses for new spider mite arrivals. You’re looking for dark specks that resemble dirt or rust as well as fine, silk-like webs spun between the leaves and stems.

How To Get Rid Of Spider Mites Using Liquid Ladybug Organic Spider Mite Killer.

At the first sign of spider mites follow the previous two steps in order to keep an infestation from getting out of hand. With the combination of these three things, your roses will be as beautiful as ever – and mite free to boot!