Spider Mites

What it looks like

Leaves or needles show fine yellow speckling that turns bronze or gray as damage worsens. In bad infestations you'll see fine webbing on the plant. The mites themselves are tiny and hard to see without a magnifying glass, but the leaf stippling is the giveaway.

Often mistaken for: Nutrient deficiency or drought stress (similar leaf stippling/bronzing)

When it shows up in the Triangle

One type shows up during hot, dry stretches from late May through summer. The other prefers cooler weather and is most active in spring and fall.

Where you’ll see it

Affects a wide range of ornamentals — including roses and butterfly bush — as well as conifers like spruce, arborvitae, fir, hemlock, juniper, and pine.

What you can do

• Don't over-fertilize with nitrogen — it makes plants more attractive to mites
• Keep plants well-watered, especially during hot, dry weather
• Encourage natural predators like predatory mites and pirate bugs by avoiding unnecessary sprays
• Scout your plants weekly during their active season so you catch problems early
• Hose down foliage periodically to knock mites off and reduce dust, which they favor