Spider Mites on Your Roses? Hereās How to Kick Them to the Curb (Gently!)
If you've noticed dusty leaves, tiny webbing, or just an overall āmehā vibe from your roses lately, you might have some uninvited guests: spider mites. These minuscule pests are nearly invisible to the naked eye but can seriously sap the beauty and health from your rose bushes if left unchecked.
But donāt worryāyou can take care of them. With a little observation, some easy tactics, and a gentle push toward balance, your roses will be thriving again in no time. Letās dive into the how-to!
šStep 1: Spot the Signs
Spider mites love warm, dry weather and tend to hang out on the undersides of rose leaves. Early signs include:
- Faint stippling (tiny yellow dots) on the leavesĀ
- Fine, dusty webbing between leaves and stems
- Leaves that turn bronze or fall off too early
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**Photos courtesy of Washington State University Extension, University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources and University of Florida Extension
Take a peek under a few leavesāif you see something moving or lots of tiny, red or green dots, youāve probably got mites [1]. You can tap the leaves on a white piece of paper and look at it under a hand lens, or jewelers loupe.Ā
š¦ Step 2: Start with Water
Spider mites hate moisture. Thatās great news for you because one of the simplest and most effective ways to knock their numbers down is to give your roses a good rinse.
Use a strong spray of water (from a hose nozzle or spray bottle) to wash the undersides of the leaves every few days. It physically knocks them off and disrupts their cozy habitat [2].
You'll need a spray bottle that can spray 360 degrees as you are trying to spray under the leaves. WeĀ really love this glass one: BUY HERE
If you are going to use a watering wand, you'll want one with a long reach and a pivoting head to help get under the leaves easier. We really love this one: BUY HERE
š Step 3: Invite the Good Guys
Did you know ladybugs, lacewings, and predatory mites love to snack on spider mites? You can buy these beneficial insects online or at garden centers. Releasing them into your garden creates natural, ongoing control without chemicals [3].
Planting a diverse garden also helpsāmany beneficials stick around when they have lots of plants to enjoy.
Lacewing Egg Strips - BUY HERE
Adult Predatory Mite Mix - BUY HERE
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š± Step 4: Keep Plants Happy (and Mites Unhappy)
Spider mites thrive when your roses are stressed. So boost your plants' resilience with:
- Regular watering (deep and consistent)
- Mulching to maintain soil moisture - we highly recommend Coco Coir Chips. They are eco-friendly, absorbs 10x it's weight in water and has a high cation exchange capacity to retain essential nutrients. It also has a neutral pH that helps prevent nutrient lock up in your soil. Plantonix COCO Bliss Premium Coconut Coir Chips - BUY HERE
- Avoiding excessive nitrogen fertilizer (which promotes soft new growth mites love) [4] Our favorite fertilizer for gentle feeding is:Ā Maxsea Seaweed Bloom Plant Food
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Strong plants can bounce back betterāand are less attractive to pests in the first place.
šæ Step 5: Consider Organic Options
If the infestation is more than a rinse can handle, donāt panic. Youāve got gentle tools in your arsenal. Some low-impact options include:
- Insecticidal soaps: These break down mitesā outer coating. Be sure to spray the undersides of leaves and follow label instructions. Ferti-lomeĀ® Spinosad Insecticidal Soap - BUY HERE
- Horticultural oils: These smother mites and their eggs. Use in cooler parts of the day and not when temps are above 85Ā°F. Ferti-lomeĀ® Horticultural Oil Ready to Spray - BUY HERE
- Neem oil: A botanical option that works as a miticide and repellent [5]. Ferti-lomeĀ® Neem Oil - BUY HERE
Reapply every 5ā7 days for a few weeks, and alternate products to reduce resistance.
š”ļøĀ A Note on Prevention
Mites hate moisture and love heat. So as the weather gets dry or dusty, increase humidity around your roses. Spraying water, keeping plants hydrated, and avoiding drought stress will go a long way. Plant your roses in locations that are not prone to dust and excessive heat (like along sidewalks, in rock mulch, along asphalt, dirt driveways etc.)
Also, take a quick look at your roses every weekāit takes just a minute or two, and early detection makes all the difference.
šYouāve Got This
Spider mites might be tiny, but with a few consistent, garden-friendly steps, you can show them the door and help your roses bloom their hearts out again.
Let your garden be your joyānot your stress. And remember: healthy roses are happy rosesāand youāre just the person to help them shine.
šReferences
- University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources. (n.d.). Spider Mites on Ornamentals. UC IPM. Retrieved from https://ipm.ucanr.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn7405.html
- University of Maryland Extension. (2023). Spider Mites on Outdoor Plants. Retrieved from https://extension.umd.edu/resource/spider-mites-outdoor-plants
- Texas A&M AgriLife Extension. (2020). Biological Control of Insect Pests. Retrieved from https://agrilifeextension.tamu.edu/library/wildlife-nature/biological-control-of-insect-pests/
- University of Minnesota Extension. (n.d.). Rose Care in the Home Garden. Retrieved from https://extension.umn.edu/flowers/roses
- Colorado State University Extension. (2012). Insect Control: Horticultural Oils. Retrieved from https://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/insects/insect-control-horticultural-oils-5-569/
Happy gardening,
š¹Heidi Mortensenš¹
