Content
- Detect and combat spider mites on the ivy
- How to recognize a spider mite infestation
- Combat spider mites
- Dry air favors spider mites
- Tips
Spider mites first show up on the underside of the leaves
Detect and combat spider mites on the ivy
Especially in the winter months, ivy, which is cared for as a houseplant, suffers from the infestation of spider mites. These pests should not be underestimated because they spread quickly and can damage the ivy so that it is beyond saving. Detect and fight spider mites.
How to recognize a spider mite infestation
Spider mites are very small and barely visible to the naked eye. Only the red spider mite is slightly better to see because of their color. The pests occur especially in winter, when the air in the room is very dry due to the heating.
Spider mites are mainly found on the undersides of the leaves and in the leaf axils. From there they often spread over the whole plant within a few days. They suck the leaves out so that they dry up and fall off.
A sign of spider mite infestation is small spider webs that show up on the underside of the leaf. Here the leaves are also covered with a slightly sticky film.
Combat spider mites
Combat spider mites as soon as possible. Otherwise, the spread can hardly be stopped. Put the ivy in the bath or shower and bake it well.
To combat spider mites effectively, you must increase the humidity significantly. After shedding the ivy, cover it with a transparent plastic bag that you only pull over the crown. The spider mites then die within a short time.
When taking care of ivy in the greenhouse, it is worthwhile to buy predatory mites from specialist retailers. They eliminate spider mites in a completely non-toxic way.
Dry air favors spider mites
Spider mite infestations in winter can be prevented well by preventing the air from being too dry.
Do not place ivy near heat sources or directly in the sun, and spray the plants regularly with water from the spray bottle.
Tips
Often it is recommended to increase the humidity by placing the pot with the ivy on a coaster. For ivy, you should do without coasters but better because the plant enters in stagnant moisture. It is cheaper to put bowls of water near the ivy.