You might want to look a little closer at the trees and plants in your Navarre, FL, yard. Do they seem sunburned or have unusual spots or coloration? If so, you might notice some tiny, spider-like insects on the leaves, which is a problem.
These insects are likely to be spider mites. Unfortunately, these mites quickly decimate shrubs, flowers, and young trees while seriously wounding your mature trees. Knowing how to prevent spider mites and deal with an infestation can protect your landscaping, which is why Backridge Tree Service, a leading tree service in Navarre, provides some tips below.
What Are Spider Mites and Why Are They a Problem?
Technically, spider mites are arachnids that feed on plants by piercing the leaves and sucking out the fluid inside them. They are small and almost impossible to see with the naked eye. That’s why Navarre tree owners often don’t even realize they have an issue until the plant is dead or close to it.
The only way to deal with a spider mite infestation is to remove the infested plant or young tree. Understandably, it is far better to take steps to keep these pests out of your yard.
Prevent Spider Mites From Destroying Your Landscape
Spider mites infest both indoor and outdoor plants. Indoor plant infestations usually start when you introduce new plants to the environment that carry the bugs. Mites are most likely to show up in your yard during dry conditions, but that’s not the only time they can appear.
Would you like to know how to prevent spider mites from infesting your greenery? Here are a few ideas.
#1 Quarantine New Plants
If you plan to add new plants to an established garden bed, quarantine them away from the existing plants for a few weeks.
Monitoring these new plants for signs of spider mites ensures you don’t accidentally introduce an infestation.
#2 Reduce Plant Stress
Many spider mite problems start during dry conditions because stressed plants aren’t receiving enough water, sunlight, or nutrition to resist the damage. Look at the following:
- Stay on top of watering and, if indoors, humidity control.
- Make sure the plants receive enough light.
- Keep the soil moist so that your plants can continue pulling in water.
For trees, pruning allows more sunlight and oxygen to reach the leaves. This practice supports good health and minimal stress.
#3 Use Horticulture Oils
If you catch signs of spider mites early, you may be able to stop the infestation. Try the following:
- Spray the leaves with a blast of water.
- Clean the leaves with a mix of insecticidal soap and water.
- Use a horticultural application like neem oil to immediately kill the pests before they snack on your plants.
Keep Your Trees Healthy and Pest-Free
If you see signs of illness or other issues with your trees in Navarre, FL, call Backridge Tree Service at (850) 240-2829 for help from a professional arborist. We can show you how to prevent spider mites, how to treat fungus on tree bark, and more to keep your trees in top form.