Spider Mites: How to Spot Them and Get Rid of Them
Priya Hollis · Oct 23, 2026 · 5 min read
Quick answer
Fine webbing and speckled leaves are the giveaway. Catch them early and you rarely need anything stronger than water.
Spider mites are tiny relatives of spiders, barely visible without a magnifying glass. They feed by piercing leaf cells, leaving behind a pale, stippled look that is easy to mistake for a watering or light problem.
They thrive in warm, dry air, which is why outbreaks often start once the heating comes on.
1 Signs to look for
- ✓Tiny pale or yellow dots across the leaf surface
- ✓Leaves that look dusty, dull, or bronzed
- ✓Fine silky webbing where leaves meet stems
- ✓Moving specks when you tap a leaf over white paper
2 Act straight away
Move the affected plant away from others — mites spread easily. Check neighbouring plants carefully, especially the undersides of leaves.
3 Treatment that works
Take the plant to a shower or sink and rinse every leaf thoroughly, top and bottom, with lukewarm water. This alone removes a large proportion of mites and webs. Follow up by wiping leaves with a damp cloth, or spraying with insecticidal soap or horticultural oil, following the label. Repeat every five to seven days for at least three weeks, because eggs keep hatching.
4 Prevent a comeback
Mites dislike humidity. Group plants together, avoid placing them next to radiators, and rinse or wipe leaves every few weeks. Quarantine new plants for a couple of weeks before putting them with the rest of your collection.
5 When to give up
A heavily infested plant with mostly damaged leaves may not be worth saving. Bag it and dispose of it rather than risk the rest of your plants. Healthy cuttings from the tips can sometimes be rinsed and rooted as a fresh start.
This is general gardening information. Results depend on your climate, soil, and conditions. Follow label directions for any fertiliser or treatment, and check whether plants are toxic to pets or children before bringing them home.