So, what are spider mites? They are very small, eight-legged critters which damage many of our plants by sucking the “sap” from the plants.

Though each is very small, the spider mites reproduce very rapidly and can infest plants by the thousands or more. Collectively they are capable of turning one side or all of a juniper brown in a couple of weeks. One is more likely to notice the symptoms and signs of spider mite infestation rather than the mites themselves.

WHAT TO WATCH FOR:

Signs to watch for are yellowing or browning of the junipers, a trashy or lint-like coating on the twigs, and a very fine webbing which coats the twigs. This webbing does not look like spider webs which stretch from one branch to another; rather, it just coats the tips of the branches and the juniper needles.

TJ’s TIP:

If you see or suspect these pests on your trees and shrubs, hose your plants off with water at least once a day, early morning or in the evening, not during the hottest part of the day! This will wash them off and reduce the population because spider mites don’t like water or humidity. To clear up the problem completely, come on in and let us help you select the right pesticide.