How to Get Rid of Spider Mites on Indoor Plants, According to Experts

Spider mites are commonly found on any number of plants, whether it be fruit trees, vegetables, ornamental shrubs, and, yes, even houseplants. While most outdoor vegetation can tolerate a low number of spider mites, indoor conditions support conditions for quick escalation in population, which can then lead to considerable damage to houseplants. 

Below, our pest control and gardening experts share their top tricks on how to get rid of spider mites on indoor plants before they wreak havoc.

How to Identify Spider Mites on Houseplants

Here's a fun fact: Spider mites aren't technically insects. “They’re tiny arachnids averaging just 1/50 of an inch long, so they can be almost impossible to see with the naked eye,” shares professional entomologist Trent Frazer.

Their presence often becomes noticeable when a reddish-brown webbing starts appearing across the plant’s leaves. “If you look very closely, you may see small moving dots in that webbing,” Frazer says. “A simple test is to hold a sheet of white paper under a leaf and gently tap—mites will appear as tiny specks that move.”

Spider mites move slowly compared to aphids, and they don’t hop like springtails. “If you crush one with your fingertip, it leaves a faint rust-colored streak,” adds pest control expert Nicole Carpenter. “That streak is hemolymp (basically mite blood), and it’s a dead giveaway.”

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How to Identify Spider Mite Damage

In small numbers, spider mites may go unnoticed. "It starts as a faint sandblasted look on leaves, tiny pale dots that almost make the leaf look dusty or frosted in bright light," Carpenter explains. But under closer inspection, these inconspicuous spots may be more sinister.

"Under magnification, you’ll see these dots are actually empty plant cells where mites have sucked out chlorophyll," says Carpenter. "In bad cases, you’ll find tie-down webs, strands that attach multiple leaves together, creating a shelter for colonies. That’s when damage accelerates fast."

Frazer warns that as their population grows, spider mite damage may lead to the following.

• Color change: Leaves may become speckled, yellowed, or bronze.
• Leaf withering: Damaged foliage that dries out and falls off prematurely.
• Webbing: A silk-like web over the leaf surface and between stems.
  

How to Get Rid of Spider Mites on Indoor Plants

Start with a hard water spray to dislodge mites, says plant expert Tammy Sons, then treat with insecticidal soap or neem oil. "Treat it in the morning or evening."

If you opt to use natural solutions, Carpenter suggests placing a tarp or sheet underneath plants to catch fallen mites so they don’t crawl back. “Blast the undersides of leaves, let mites drop, then immediately remove the tarp and shake debris into a sealed trash bag,” she says. Also, "the soap may damage delicate leaves if sprayed during the heat of the day," Sons warns. "Do this in the early morning, since cooler temps slow mites, making them easier to knock off."

Note that this process may take some time. Go slowly to be thorough and gently to protect your plant. Sons recommends spraying the undersides of leaves every five to seven days until mites are gone.

As a quicker solution, Carpenter suggests cutting any affected leaves (though this may damage particularly small or delicate plants), sealing them in a freezer bag, and throwing them away. "Sterilize the scissors with alcohol after each cut to avoid cross-contamination," she says.

How to Prevent Spider Mites from Returning

"The most common mistake I see is not following up with treatments," Sons shares. "Eggs will hatch in a few days to a week at a time. Persistence is necessary to break their reproductive cycle."

Keep up with the expert advice below for long-term eradication.

• Check plants weekly: Look for discoloration, webbing, or weakened leaves and stems, recommends Frazer. Use a magnifying glass for early detection.
• Maintain proper environmental health: Spider mites love still, dry air, Carpenter says, and they thrive in dusty areas. Keep indoor air circulating with a small oscillating fan to disrupt their movement and breeding.  
• Isolate new or infected plants: Keep them separate for at least a month to prevent spreading pests to healthy plants, says Frazer.
• Avoid dusty leaves: Wipe leaves gently with a damp cloth to remove dust that can attract mites. If desired, you can rinse plants with lukewarm water monthly and wipe with a soft microfiber cloth.
• Rotate plant position: Mites often reappear from the same hot, sunny corner, Carpenter warns, so shift your plants’ position every so often.