Spiders are small insects that belong to the spider mites family. Spiders are harmful to plants. They thrive in warm weather and can roam different areas of the plant. Spider mites are a huge problem for any gardener. These tiny pests can quickly infest your plants and kill them. Today, we’ll discuss whether spiders live in soil and how to get rid of them.
Table of Contents
Do Spider Mites Live In Soil?
- Red spider mites
There are actually two kinds of red spiders. One of them is the European red spider and the other is the southern red spider. Red spider mites can do a lot of damage to the plants in your garden. Red spiders live in soil where plants are grown. But when they eat, they come out and feed on the leaves of the plants.
- White spider mites
Another name for the white spider is the two-spotted spider. White spiders are also sometimes called wood mites because they feed on old furniture. But these white spiders also feed on the plants in your garden, where they live in the soil of the plants.
Do Spider Mites Lay Eggs In Soil?
A female spider can lay ninety to one hundred and twenty eggs in her lifetime. Laying their eggs in the soil are two species of spotted spiders or white spiders.
The egg-laying process of winter mites occurs in winter. When winter comes, female white spiders lay their eggs in the soil. But female red spiders lay their eggs on the leaves of plants.
In fact, female spiders start laying eggs when they are five days old.
How Long Do Spider Mites Live In The Soil?
The life cycle of spiders is not long. Their lifespan is about 21 to 28 days. Even with such a short lifespan, they are good at reproducing. Spiders overwinter in the soil. At this point, they continue the reproductive cycle by laying eggs.
Before the next summer, the eggs turn into fully developed spiders and come out to eat the leaves of the plants.
Early Signs of Spider Mites
There are several signs that can give you an indication of the soil of your garden becoming infested with spider mites. To be sure about the existence of spider mites in the soil of your garden, you will have to take a closer look at the plants of your garden. They are:
- The plant leaves will lose their natural color.
- Brown and yellow spots will be visible on the leaves.
- A lot of holes will appear on the leaves.
- Webs will emerge on different parts of the plants.
What Causes Spider Mites In Soil?
There are several reasons that cause spider mites to live in the soil.
- Through carrier
Spiders are small in size. You can’t look at them with bare eyes. You have to use a magnifying glass to see them clearly. Spider mites take advantage of their small size to infest with the help of their carriers.
They can travel with the help of human skin and clothing. Spider mites can also be spread with the help of pet dogs and cats. You and your pets can unknowingly help spider mites by bringing them into your home garden.
Once in the garden, they will lay eggs and live in the soil all winter.
- The eating cycle of spider mites
Spiders come out in summer to eat plants in your garden. They like to be outside in hot, dry environments. In summer, spiders remain on the bottom of the leaves.
But in winter, they return to living in the soil of the garden. They rest there until summer comes again.
- The nutrients of the plants
It is believed that under-watered plants are more likely to infest spiders. On the other hand, overwatered plants can also infest spiders. You have to pay attention to how many times a week you water the plants.
Spiders emerge from the soil and feed on the plant’s excess nutrients. After feeding on plants, spiders return to the soil to rest.
How to Get Rid Of Spider Mites In Soil?
It is important to identify spider mites on plants early to avoid a full-blown infestation, which can be difficult to control. Organic methods are safest for people, pets and plants. If you think any of your plants are affected, take the following steps. (See below for more information on how to identify spiders and the damage they cause.)
- Water spray:
Using the nozzle attached to the garden hose, spray lightly with water to remove the webbing and as many insects as possible. Be sure to get under the leaves. This also removes dust from leaves, which are a favorite hiding place for mites.
- Use insecticidal soap:
Let the plants dry and apply organic insecticidal soap. Spray early in the morning or evening and avoid using when temperatures exceed 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Reapply every 7-10 days or as directed to disrupt the egg incubation cycle.
- Homemade Medicines:
You can make your own insecticidal soap. Using a mild liquid soap such as Castile or Ivory, mix 1 tablespoon into 1 quart of water. Apply with a spray bottle. Other home remedies include garlic, pepper (capsaicin), mint, or rosemary.
- Neem Oil:
Neem oil, a natural extract of the neem tree, is an all-purpose repellant that suffocates spiders when applied. This is a long-lasting solution and is usually used after applying insecticidal soap. Use as directed and keep away from pets and children.
- Use other errors:
Beneficial insects that prey on spider mites provide natural pest control. These include ladybugs, carnivorous mites, lacewings, and spider mite destroyers. These insects are harmless to people, pets and plants. This solution works best if you can treat the good bugs as eggs (the adults usually fly away).
- Additional measures:
If the infestation becomes severe, remove the most affected leaves, place them in a sealed plastic bag, and dispose of them in the trash. Don’t put them in compost as this will spread the problem. In extreme cases, the entire plant may need to be demolished.
- Avoid chemicals:
Chemical pesticides can disrupt the ecological balance. This could allow other predatory pests to move in and cause secondary problems.
How to Prevent Spider Mites
- Check out before buying:
Check indoor and outdoor plants before buying to make sure they are not infested. (See how to choose healthy plants.)
- Keeping Plants Healthy:
Make sure the plants are well watered and fertilized. Healthy plants are more resistant to pests and diseases, while weak or stressed plants are more prone to problems.
- Keep the area clean:
Remove weeds and debris from your garden, as pests are easier to hide.
- Increase humidity:
Since spiders thrive in dry conditions, keep the air humidity levels high around the plants.
- Use high-quality soil:
Use high-quality sterile potting soil to avoid possible soil-borne pests.
Final Thoughts
In winter, spiders start living in the soil. At that time, female spiders start laying eggs to maintain the reproductive cycle. But when winter ends, the spiders emerge from the soil and start feeding on the plants in the garden.
