I don't know where the buggers come from. Maybe the blow onto us when we're outside and are thrilled to find an indoor host. My thyme always gets them. Usually I notice them if I let plants dry out. Try washing the plant. I've heard people go so far as to wash the soil off the roots and repot. That is more important with mealy bugs or fungus gnats that spend part of their life cycle in the soil. Here's a link that might help.

Thank you both for the advice! I did as you suggested and have been bathing my plant. My family now thinks I am crazy. It's still suffering from the effects but hopefully it will make a recovery!

You're welcome. A clean plant is a happy plant! Remember that plants breathe through their foliage, so clean foliage also is healthy foliage. I mean, it isn't like you're taking your plant to the spa, getting its hair curled and painting its' toenails. The plant is only getting a simple bath.

If it is any comfort at all, when it comes to gardening, my family doesn't just think I am crazy, they know I am crazy. It is okay with me. There's worse things to be. Once a gardener's family has decided they are plant crazy, it is liberating. When they are only thinking a gardener might be crazy, then the gardener might rein in some of the garden behavior in order to assure their family that they aren't really crazy. However, once your family knows for sure you are crazy, all bets are off and you don't have to hide your craziness---you can let it shine, front and center, year-round.

If you have liquid compost tea or liquid fish emulsion, spraying either one of those on the undersides of the leaves, in particular, also seem to drive spider mites away. I wouldn't use the liquid fish emulsion if you have cats because they'll destroy the plant trying to find the fish.

The spider mites could persist on the plant all winter if it is indoors. They often become a problem on plants brought indoors or into a greenhouse because the warmer temperatures allow them to survive. Even if you don't see mite damage this winter, watch the plant carefully in spring as new mites could hatch out. A little neem oil usually helps control them....or a lady bug.

When I see a lady bug wandering around (I found one last week crawling around inside the house on an upstairs window in our bedroom), I gently pick it up and let it crawl on my hand while I'm making my way to whatever indoor plant might have pest issues. Then I deposit the lady bug on the plant, and often it stays there for days, devouring whatever small pests it finds.

Well then! I will admit to my family that I indeed am crazy and I will be freeeee! :)

Oh my, I had never thought of a ladybug. This is an indoor plant and I do worry it will harbor the mites. I might try the ladybug application! Thank you!

You're welcome. As cold weather arrives, some lady bugs try to come indoors, so it shouldn't be hard to fine one....if we ever have any cooler weather actually show up.