How do I get rid of spider mites?

I have a new gardenia shrub and I think I bought one with speder mites in it! help!

How do I get rid of spider mites?
Here is an idea i have done for many year and it has help me..get some newspaper and empty the plant out very carefully and get rid of the old dirt. Now put the plant on the paper and make sure you have some new soil ready when you need to pot it..but..take the pot over to the sink and wash it real good.Shake all the dirt off onto the paper. Now get your plant and take it to the sink and run very very cool to warm water and wash all the dirt off with the water. Now once that is done..clean your sink out and have nothing in it but add just a tiny bit of dish soap and run the water on between warm to cool as you don't want it to warm or to cool. Now start washing the plant very careful and if you have a small pastry brush that will also help clean the mites away..make sure you get in between where the leaves start and in every stem and leaf..and then rinse. You may have to do this a few times until they are gone. Now go back with your clean pot and plant. Put your plant in the pot and pour some clean dirt into it. Give it a very small amount of water cause don't forget it has already has water while you were washing the roots. If you have to do this again..there will be no need for you to get rid of this dirt just remove the plant and do all the steps above and then replace the plant back in the pot after you done all the steps..Keep a watch for the mites and hope you go rid of them. hope this helps. I don't use spray cause if you have children and animals it is harmful to them as this is safe and doesn't cost alot. Has for me for many years
Reply:"Spider mites are a Royal pain to get rid off". I have a lot of houseplants and have encountered these creatures a few times. Because of this I don't dare purchase ivy plants any longer since they are prone to get them.


Spidermites thrive in hot, dry house conditions.


Spider mites can sail thru an open window into your home.


Spider mites can be carried on your clothing if you brushed against a plant that was infected with them.


BUT DON'T GIVE UP, you can win the battle.





First I would take the plant out of the soil and rinse off all roots.


Then I would bathe the plant in mild dish soapy water, rinsing them clean afterwards. Check the underside of the leaves for these tiny mites - using a magnifying glass if necessary. Repot your plant in sterile soil and don't place it in the same area where it stood before.


Clean that area well to wipe away all surviving spidermites.





To sterilize soil: Place soil bag on top of old cookie sheet cut large slit in top. Place into the oven and bake for 1 hour at 180 degrees. Spidermites and eggs of any insect hidden in the soil should be dead. Cool soil before repotting.





Hints to discourage spidermites:


Mist our plants often - especially your Gardenia


Place your plants on a tray of pebbles, keeping the pebbles wet, but don't let the pot sit in water.


Check the underside of the leaves often, especially when yellowing occurs.


Spray your plants with "Safers" Insecticidal Soap - you can get this at a good garden store or greenhouse.
Reply:I had them on my small indoor lemon tree a few weeks ago. I used bug spray and it killed them.





I have been meaning to reapply to get what ever eggs hatched since. The tree is doing better than ever. I think I must have had them for years. The tree was never healthy. Now it is.





Get one that is OK for plants though. I used a harsh one and it might have killed one of my other plants which I also sprayed thinking they must have spread.





Or it died because I forgot to water the poor thing. Not sure which....
Reply:try GARDEN RAID.spray lightly..keep away from other plants as they will spread from plant to plant
Reply:If you have spider mites you can see them. They like the fresh growth on your plants. They can also be found crawling aroung on the surface of the dirt or just under. I do not believe in chemicals and a safe method is using sunlight dish soap. It is biodegradable and will not harm your plants. Simply fill your kitchen sink with room temperature water and dish soap, a little goes a long way. Dump the loose dirt into the garbage. Put your hand over the pot and flip the plant over slowly. Remaining loose dirt will fall but hold the plant and pot. Gently swish and dunk the foliage in the water for a few mins. Let the plant sit, seperate any leaves that are stuck together. Dunk it again. And gently rinse the soapy water off with room temp water. You can also then water the plant with some of the slightly soap water. THis will kill the bugs on the surface if they have not fallen out already. In a few days spray the plant with a mild solution of the soap and water, the leaves and the dirt. This should work well.








A faster method if you would rather use a spray is to spray the plant and then immediatly cover the plant in a plastic bag. Sealing in the floating spray with it.