Please, help!

It looks like spider mites to me.

I do not see spiders. Where are they? What I can do?

Looks like mites to me too. Go to a garden center and look for a spray for mites. Bayer makes one as do other companies. Follow the directions and keep to the recommended schedule. They are difficult to get rid of. Make sure 'spider mites' are listed on the label.

Spider mites are not spiders. They are tiny sucking insects which cause the sort of damage you see.

Jane

Thank you all. After applying the spray, I have to turn the plant so that there is liquid between the leaves of the plant?

Yes

Miticide can not find in stores, someone could tell me a name, thank you. The small plant photo turned yellow. She will die?

Picture of my plant

Mite poison is expensive. And the plant is near its end. Get rid of it because there are active mites on it and the money spent on poison might be enough to buy a plant. But before you buy another plant get that out in in the trash for a few days. And put your new plant in another spot also.

If I had an old car worth $1000 and it needed a $3000 repair, i'd get rid of the car. That plant is toxic and not going to make it. Don't shoot the messenger please.

Mites aren't insects, actually. Like the related spiders (and ticks) they suck juices - in this case out of plants.

But I have several plants affected, I need to buy quickly a miticide and I do not know where to find it. I do not want to lose them all.

Isolate all infected plants and move healthy ones to another room. Order miticide online with express shipping if you can't find it locally. Good luck.

Hello! Savedmonkey. I sprayed the orchids and the room also with the product you told me. You think I should go back to fumigate within 7 days or 14? Greetings.

You sprayed the ROOM?????

Did you read the cautions?

• Harmful if swallowed.
• Harmful if absorbed through skin.
• Avoid contact with skin, eyes, or clothing.
• Wash hands before eating, drinking, chewing gum, using tobacco, or using the toilet.
• Remove and wash contaminated clothing before reuse.

Every time you touch a surface that was sprayed you contaminate yourself.

tj

If I take precautions. This room is for orchids. Nobody comes here. I only review the plants.

"...follow the directions precisely"

I believe that also was mentioned.

tj

The product brings all the information for ornamentals, not specified for orchids, that was my question but it is the same, not problem.

How long the flat spider mite can live off plants?

Long enough to kill the plant.

I think Maritza is asking how long a mite would live on surfaces in the room off the plant. I don't know the answer but I don't think it matters much with a systemic as it will continue to work for a few weeks.

Check out the "No more bugs" thread, I think that is the more effective way to use this product. That is what I do when bringing plant in for the winter. I only soak for about ten minutes, change the water after each plant to avoid cross contamination, I use the water on other plants in the yard so it doesn't go to waste.

Yes, James AKA lumpy_j, that's what I wanted to know. I have never seen or with a magnifying glass, these spiders. I have fear that are microscopic and be everywhere in the house. My husband wants to throw all my orchids them away and have like 50 plants, not all are infected, this is my hobby. I love gardening.

The mites only live on plants and don't cause problems for people or pets. They don't wander too far from plants so no need to throw plants away.

Not quite microscopic. About the size of a period.

tj

Today I found a powerful magnifying glass and saw some walking slowly on the surface of a leaf on a plant. This has made me very sad because the poison did not work well, and I fumigated 6 days ago.

Try soaking the plant instead of spraying. This will get the pesticide inside the plant. Supplement that with a soap / oil spray. There are many recipes on the internet, eucalyptus oil, lemon oil, peppermint oil, neem oil etc are all said to work and are safer for use at home.

I would continue the sprays for a few weeks even if you don't see them anymore. Don't use the pesticide more than once or twice a year, bugs will become immune to the pesticide if you over use it.

They are not spiders. They are mites, known as spider mites. Very tough to get rid of. They even get used to the poison. After 2 or 3 times you must use a different poison. Another one I use is permetrol. Some are very expensive but not this one. You must repeat 7 days later to get the hatching eggs. A microscope is not needed. Your high power magnifying glass is good. I use a jewelers loop. Same thing. In the future when buying new plants give them an eagle eye and look for mites and other bugs before you bring them home...Extremely important. Read and follow the directions precisely! If you do not, the poison can harm you and your plants. Be careful!

Where I can find the permetrol? No I see it on internet. I have insecticide of soap (potassium salts). May I clean the leaves with it? Thanks.

Yes, you can wash the plant with soap/water. Not sure about potassium salts but if you rinse the roots well after washing, should be fine.

Jane