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Re: Spider Webs on plants

I would not be so quick to "jump" to the conclusion of spider mites.
Well this could be the case, it could also be a household spider.  Just
today, I found webs all over my antherium and also found the spider that
was responsible.  Are there any other symptoms that would indicate
spider mites?  If you have a bad case of spider mites, the leaves will
be showing signes...  I would look further before spraying with
malathion!!

Just my 2 cents worth
Julie

ldl wrote:
> 
> MoonsWife@aol.com wrote:
> >
> > Hi all,
> > Not sure what the bugs are, can't see any of those, but my Banana Croton
> > (according to name tag provided) has spider webs all over it.  So does the
> > Codiaeum 'Petra' sitting on the opposite end of same shelf.  The Schefflera,
> > Dracaena (Surclosa), and Dracaena (Janet Craig Compacta) between them look
> > sorta "dusty" but no visible Spider webs yet.  This happened since last
> > watering which was day before yesterday.  The only thing that's happened
> > since then is I brought my huge Hibiscus in from outside all summer.  From
> > what I can tell, the Hibiscus doesn't have any bugs or webs though!
> > As to the Hibiscus, since bringing it in, some of the smaller leaves on top
> > have begun to "curl up."  The larger leaves, from about midway down, are
> > still normal looking.  So far, no visible yellowing, or falling of leaves.
> > What can I do to help my plants?   If store products mentioned, please give
> > specific names.  I'd hate to think I was buying a "cure" for them and end up
> > killing them!!!
> > Thanks for such a helpful group,
> > Kathy
> 
> Bad news, Kathy. You have spider mites. I've had this take out a whole
> plant population, so I would immediately isolate the affected plants
> from the others. Mine came in on a Croton, so I've avoided getting one
> since. Schefflera is also very susceptible. Probably your newest puchase
> brought the pest in, but it sounds like you've had the infestation for a
> while. By the time you see actual webs, it's fairly far advanced.
> 
> If one plant seems to have a worse infestation than the others, it's
> probably the original host (again, suspect the Croton!). If so, get
> unsentimental fast, and throw it away, or risk losing most of your
> plants.
> 
> The dracena is pretty resistant to spider mites, and may make it,
> especially if you isolate it now (at least a room away). For the
> infested plants, quarantine them and then hit them with Malathion. It's
> pretty strong stuff, and you'll have to ventilate, keep your pets away,
> etc. I let it sit on the plants for a week, and then repeat. Concentrate
> on new growth, which is what the buggers like best. Then, after another
> week, spray the plants down really well to remove traces before bringing
> the plants to a place where any pets might come into contact with it.
> 
> I don't know where you live, but if it's still above freezing, you might
> be able to do this in a garage. Your plants won't appreciate full sun if
> you're in the south. I use an enclosable tub in my guest bathroom - put
> the plants in the tub, spray and close the enclosure. Turn the fan on
> for at least a day after you spray, or at least keep a window open for a
> few hours.
> 
> You may lose some plants, or parts of plants, but at least you won't
> lose all of them.
> 
> Anybody else find anything less strong than Malathion that has worked? I
> sure haven't - everything else has just wasted time while more plants
> died.
> 
> To help prevent in the future, keep in mind that spider mites love dry
> air. I have installed a whole house humidifier for my plants and
> sinuses, since our air is so dry here, I have a house full of plants and
> spider mites are a very common pestilence. I keep no Crotons or
> Scheffleras, and I have a lot of Dracenas, since the mites don't seem to
> like them much.
> 
> -Dell, Denver, Zone 5
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