I think spider mites like it hot and dry, do you think soaker hose, the kind that mists up a bit might help keep the little @#$%#@$ away. Other then that, spray with a safer's soap solution before the problem starts and then repeat on occasion. Just a thought.

Annette

I wonder if ladybugs might help? They sure do a number on aphids and are cheap to buy, just a thought, M

I get spider mites on my junipers and sago every summer -- insecticidal soap sprays or hard jets of water from the garden hose normally keep them in check and they don't do any serious damage.

You could treat the infestation more effectively if you had a positive ID for the pest. What you have may not be spider mites.

If you have access to a digital camera, why not try taking a photo of the damage and the undersides of the leaves where these bugs hang out - post them here and over in the Garden Clinic (aka Pests & Diseases) forum to see if anybody can ID the little destroyers. Then you'll know what you are dealing with and how best to get rid of them, so you can enjoy blooms next year.

RENEE

If they are spider mites, ladybugs will help for sure. If you buy some, try really hard to get them in a larvae state. If you buy adult ladybugs, chances are they will fly away looking for home. The larvae is good, because "hatchlings" will tend to stick around where they're hatched. I know this (I'm full of useless info), because my dad built a radio-controlled crop duster with a largish hopper. He would mix ladybug larvae with sawdust (for spreadability), then fly his plane up and down rows of organically grown winegrapes, "spraying" his payload. My dad's a pistol-- always doing fun stuff. He's eighty years old now and still flying his RC planes. He doesn't see so well anymore, but it hasn't held him back-- if his plane gets out of his range, he just elbows the guy next to him, asking if the thing is still up in the air. lol

Thanks you guys. Yes, I should positively id them. I have a ton of ladybugs on my clematis that have taken care of a huge aphid problem. I should move some of the larvae over to the crocosmia and see if they can help. I guess I just need to get on them right away in the spring. The spraying with water seems to do nothing. Everything I have read says that should solve it, but they are right back the next day.

Another thing you might try:

My dad used to sell ag chemicals for a living, but around the house he mostly just washed buggy plants down with his sprayer full of water and Tide laundry detergent. I don't know if the Tide brand in particular is needed, but it sure worked for our garden.