BY THE WAY, THANKS IN ADVANCE FOR ALL YOUR HELP! I've been browsing this forum since I found it yesterday, and I just joined today. I'm so glad I found it. It's going to be a ton of help!!! :)

Anybody?

Hi Jamiee.Mae, I bring my citrus inside during the winter, so I get spider mites as well. I use a spray bottle with water on the visible webs and the rest of the tree, and wipe down the leaves. that mostly takes care of the mites. You have to repeat as new mites hatch. Spraying your tree outside is a great way to deal with them.haven't used oil on my trees but ,be careful about sunlight when you do as you can burn the foliage. You mentioned that they are in the soil of your hibiscus. Are they mites or fungus gnats(fruit flies)?You said you have wood chips on the top and if they are constantly wet the flies will find them and thrive. Mites like hot and dry. Good luck kev

Yup, I hate to say this, but get rid of the Hibiscus..

You will never rid them as long as you have that plant around indoors..If you plan on keeping it anyways, treat it regularly, like twice a month and keep it far from any of your other plants...Good luck.

Watch your oily mixtures..You could smother your plants leaves..I would use them if that is what you plan, but then spray the oils off with a natural soapy warm water an hour or so after..

MIke

Oil is the best way to kill them- some say it gets all the stages-- Spider mites are just about the hardest pest I have found to control

Are they red spider mites or rust mites?- Either way oil is a cheap way to go compared to miticides.

But I would spray 3 times 3 days apart-- that will get them

This post was edited by dawgone on Wed, Oct 8, 14 at 8:30

Welcome Jamie we are slow to respond sometimes lol. Yes I hate the little red devils to rosemary oil mix with a drop of Dawn dishwashing liquid in a water sprayer works wonders to keep them away. The oil stinks to high heavens I would rather do it as a last resort lol.
Trace