Solving Spider Mites in Ornamentals
Sep 01, 2025
Spider mites don’t just damage ornamentals—they ruin their visual appeal. Catching them early keeps your plants healthy and beautiful. On ornamentals like roses, mandevilla, ivy, dracaena, and juniper, spider mites often start with subtle leaf speckling that can be easy to miss. As pressure builds, they spin fine, silky webbing across stems and foliage—a signature symptom that sets them apart from other common plant problems.
Scout propagation zones twice weekly—early pressure often starts here and spreads quickly if missed. Spider mites can enter greenhouses through cuttings, liners, clothing, or even air currents. Pressure levels range from low (a few mites and minor damage) to high (dense webbing and all life stages present).
For visible damage, bottle formulations of beneficials like Spidex and Spical should be applied directly to affected areas—they feed on all life stages and work quickly to reduce pressure. Once things are under control—or if you're currently managing the problem with a spray—preventative sachets can be brought in to help clean up and protect against future pressure. For vulnerable species like mandevilla, ivy, and dracaena, consider hotspot sachet placement and regular follow-up scouting.
Isarid is a mycoinsecticide that can help bridge the gap between spraying and introducing beneficials. It’s compatible with biocontrols and supports a smoother transition. Spidend is also great for hotspot treatment and pairs well with Spidex.
Want to learn more about how to solve spider mites? Check out our article Solving Spider Mites for identification tips, treatment strategies, and biocontrol recommendations—all in one place.
Some chemicals negate the effects of beneficial controls. If you’re navigating the shift from chemical to biological control, we’re here to help—just reach out to us at orders@koppert.com or simply message our live agents through the chat box in the bottom right hand corner of the screen.
Treating a large space and looking for expert advice on IPM strategy? Just fill out our contact us form Personal Service Inquiry | Natural Enemies and we’ll reach out with tailored support to help you build a plan that works.
