Red spider mites are a common sight in UK gardens and greenhouses. They begin feeding and laying eggs when the temperature rises in spring, before reproducing at a rapid rate once the hot air arrives between June and September.
In heavy attacks, a fine silk webbing may be seen on the plants, and the leaves can lose most of their green colour and dry up or fall off.
As the warm weather continues this month, there are some steps you can take to deter red spider mites.
According to the RHS, spring is a key time to “take action” before a damaging infestation has time to develop.
How to deter red spider mites in a greenhouse
According to gardening experts from Thompson & Morgan: “You can damp down your greenhouse on hot days to increase humidity and deter red spider mites.”
Damping down simply means pouring water onto the floor of your greenhouse.
Gardeners’ World advises doing this first thing in the morning.
The experts said: “Do this first thing in the morning – as the water evaporates, it will create enough humidity throughout the day to prevent your plants from suffering heat stress.”
Red spider mites prefer a dry environment, so the water should keep them at bay.
How to deter red spider mites in a greenhouse
According to gardening experts from Thompson & Morgan: “You can damp down your greenhouse on hot days to increase humidity and deter red spider mites.”
Damping down simply means pouring water onto the floor of your greenhouse.
Gardeners’ World advises doing this first thing in the morning.
The experts said: “Do this first thing in the morning – as the water evaporates, it will create enough humidity throughout the day to prevent your plants from suffering heat stress.”
Red spider mites prefer a dry environment, so the water should keep them at bay.
