If you think you have spider mites, try taking a piece of white paper and tapping the leaves at and also above where you see damage (because once you see the damage, they've likely already moved up into the plant) onto the paper.

Russet mites (which cause similar damage) are a bit more difficult to see, because they are smaller. It may even take a 10x hand lens to see them.

Spider and russet mites are exceedingly difficult to get rid of. Wettable sulfur helps, but the entire plant must be covered in it, and that means tops and bottoms of leaves. In a southern climate, one must be exceedingly careful not to use it on hot days (above 90f) or while direct sun is on the plants. And you wouldn't want to use it along with the neem or any other oil.

Neem oil also helps somewhat, though it is generally not as effective as the sulfur would be. It can also burn plants if one is not careful.

I would also suggest that any affected foliage needs to be removed from the plant posthaste (to help get rid of eggs).

However, do make sure you have mites by using the paper test and/or a hand lens before moving forward with treatment.

how would u go about burning plants with neem oil

jds,

I must admit that when I saw your thread title I had no idea what you were talking about until I went to your initial other thread, where I would have expected to find an answer from you. (smile)

You certainly did give a nice description of a foliage infection or two in that post, but if you now think it's spider mites, so be it, and I hope you can get them under control.( smile)

Carolyn