Common crops affected
What are spider mites?
Spider mites (family Tetranychidae, most commonly the two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae) are sap-feeding arachnids under 0.5 mm long. They cluster on leaf undersides, feeding through hundreds of punctures. Because they reproduce quickly — a generation in as little as a week in the heat — they are among the most damaging pests in greenhouses, high tunnels and warm-climate crops.
How to identify spider mite damage
- Stippling: fine pale or yellow speckling on the upper leaf surface
- Bronzing: leaves turn bronze or grey and dry out as feeding intensifies
- Webbing: fine silk on leaf undersides and between stems — a sign the infestation is advanced
- Tiny moving dots: mites visible on the leaf underside, easiest to see tapped onto white paper
Damage appears first in hot, dusty, drought-stressed spots. Scout leaf undersides weekly in warm weather.
Why spider mites are hard to control
Spider mites are notorious for resistance. Their short life cycle and huge populations mean survivors of a single-site spray pass on resistance rapidly, and many populations now resist multiple conventional miticide classes. Sprays also miss eggs and sheltered leaf undersides. Effective programs rotate modes of action, achieve thorough coverage, and target all mobile stages.
Managing spider mites naturally
- Cultural steps: avoid drought and dust stress, maintain humidity where practical, remove heavily infested material
- Coverage: direct spray to leaf undersides where mites and eggs concentrate
- Rotate modes of action: a physically-acting, nature-derived acaricide is a valuable rotation partner — no single biochemical site for mites to adapt around
Recommended Vegalab solution: Spider Mite Control
Vegalab Spider Mite Control is a natural terpenoid acaricide built on the nano-encapsulation platform, formulated to act on all mobile mite stages with residual activity. Because its mode of action is physical rather than a single biochemical target, it fits resistance-management rotations. For mixed mite pressure (spider, broad and russet mites), MultiMite Control provides broad-spectrum cover. Both are designed for standard foliar application with zero pre-harvest and zero re-entry interval, and OMRI-listed options are available. Results vary by crop, region and pressure; claims and availability vary by jurisdiction — always read and follow the applicable product label.
| Role | Product | Use |
|---|---|---|
| Primary control | Spider Mite Control | Contact miticide / insecticide |
| Companion / broader pressure | MultiMite Control | Broader mixed mite & insect pressure |
| Plant support | Armour Boost | Silica for tissue resilience |
Claims and product availability vary by jurisdiction. Always read and follow the product label.