Spider Infestation of Hydroponic Plants

Spider Mites

• Spider mites are related to spiders, as members of the arachnid family. These pests are a common problem for hydroponic gardeners, as they prefer the warm, dry temperatures often found in an indoor growing environment. Though they are difficult to see well with the naked eye, under a microscope it is clear that spider mites have eight legs and spider-like bodies. The favorite food of spider mites is the fluid found inside your plants, so they use sucking mouth parts to pierce and extract plant fluids. Spider mites weave delicate silken webs throughout the plants they infest, falsely giving the impression the plants are infested with spiders.

Damage

• Since spider mites feed on the fluids inside plants, this causes a number of undesirable effects on the plants they infest. Plants often take on a scorched appearance when infested with spider mites, because the plants become dehydrated once all fluids have been extracted from individual areas. The plants wilt, especially new or very young plants. Leaf drop occurs in some plants, with plants dropping dry, withered leaves and unhealthy-looking though not-yet-dry leaves. If left untreated, spider mite infestations result in the eventual death of the plant along with the death of any other plants these pests spread onto during the infestation.

Elimination

• Wash your plants with a strong spray of water to knock off and drown as many spider mites as possible. Plants treated with pesticides are effectively remedied of spider mites, though it is important to remember that persistent infestations of mites often become resistant to pesticides when the treatment is overused. Pesticide sprays and dusts are effective against these mites, and are available in both organic and conventional varieties. Finally, introducing beneficial insects, such as persimilis, into your hydroponic garden eliminates the mites, as the persimilis feed on the spider mites and cause no damage to your plants. This option may not be ideal for gardeners with hydroponic gardens in indoor living spaces, as they may not wish to have additional insects inside their homes.

Prevention

• Treat plants with an insecticide even if no apparent signs of infestation are present, to stop potential infestations before they start. Regular inspection of plants enables you to be aware of any signs of spider mite infestations as soon as they arise. Remove plants from the hydroponic system long enough to clean the system thoroughly between plantings or after an infestation to make the environment less hospitable to the mites. Regularly introducing beneficial insects to your hydroponic plants keeps pests in check while keeping your plants healthy.