Mites on Your Succulent? Here's How to Get Rid of Them!

Succulents are awesome because they’re super easy to take care of and really tough. But even these hardy little plants can run into trouble with pests like mites. I’ve been growing plants for a while now, and I’ve learned that spotting mites early and dealing with them quickly is super important to keep your succulents happy and healthy. These tiny critters munch on plant juices and can make your succulents sick and weak.

To keep mites away, it’s all about giving your succulents the good stuff: fresh air, the right amount of water, and a bit of a check-up now and then. But if you do find some mites hanging out on your plants, don’t worry! Just move the plant away from the others and start treating it. Over the years, I’ve tried lots of ways to get rid of mites, from inviting their natural enemies over to using plant-friendly sprays.

I’m all about keeping things green and safe, so I always look for the gentlest ways to help my succulents. I keep a close eye on them, especially under the leaves where mites love to hide. If I need to, I’ll grab some insecticidal soap, a bit of neem oil, or a simple alcohol mix to carefully treat the problem spots. Remember, you might have to treat more than once, but stay on top of it, and your succulents will thank you by staying beautiful and healthy. Let’s keep our succulent buddies looking their best!

Identifying Mite Infestations on Succulents

Keeping an eye out for tiny mites is super important to make sure your plants stay happy and healthy. The sooner you spot these little troublemakers, the better! Pay close attention to your plant’s leaves; that’s where mites like to hang out.

If you know what to look for, like tiny dots or webs on the leaves, you’ll be one step ahead in protecting your green friends. And guess what? Not all mites are the same, so figuring out who’s who can help you choose the best way to send them packing. Once you spot them, you can decide on the best action to take to say goodbye to the mites and keep your succulents looking great!

Recognizing the Signs of Mites

To find out if your succulent has mites, look for these signs:

Tiny Bugs: Mites are really small, but you might see them moving around if you look closely. They can be red, black, or white.
Webbing: Some mites make fine webs on the plant, like tiny spider webs.
Spots on Leaves: Mites can leave little yellow or white spots on the leaves where they’ve been eating.
Misshapen Growth: New leaves or stems might look twisted, bumpy, or not normal.
Sticky Stuff: Some mites leave behind a sticky substance on the plant.

If you see any of these things, your succulent might have mites. It’s a good idea to take care of it quickly because mites can harm your plant.

Types of Mites That Affect Succulents

While spider mites are common pests that can infest succulents, there are other types of mites as well. These might include broad mites, russet mites, and bulb mites, among others. Each type of mite can affect the plant differently and may require different methods to manage or eliminate them.

Spider mites are often identified by the fine, silky webs they create on the plants they infest. Other mites may not produce noticeable webs but can still cause damage, such as discolored or distorted leaves.

If you suspect your succulent has mites but you’re not sure what kind they are, you might need a magnifying glass to see them because they are so small. If you’re still unsure, you can take a sample to a local nursery or an extension service for identification. Knowing the type of mite you’re dealing with can help you choose the most effective treatment.

You can see spider mites with the naked eye, but they are very small and can be hard to spot. They typically look like tiny moving dots to the naked eye. Spider mites are usually red spider mites, green, yellow, or brown. To see them more clearly, you might need a magnifying glass, especially to identify specific features or to see the eggs and nymphs, which are even smaller than the adult mites. If you notice fine webbing on your plants, it’s a good sign that spider mites might be present.

Effects of Mite Damage on You Succulents Health

Mites are like tiny vampires for your succulents! They suck the juice out of the leaves, which can make your plants look sick and not as pretty. If mites keep munching on your succulents, the plants can get weak and might not grow right. So, it’s super important to keep those pesky mites away to make sure your succulents stay strong and beautiful.

Discolored leaves: Yellowing or bronzing of the leaf surface.
Stunted Growth: Infested plants may exhibit reduced growth rates.
Leaf Drop: Severe infestations can lead to leaf loss.

The damage mites inflict interrupts the plant’s ability to photosynthesize efficiently, weakening it over time. Early detection of symptoms like webbing and tiny, moving dots on the undersides of leaves is crucial for rapid intervention and limiting harm.

Mites’ Breeding and Life Cycle

Understanding the breeding cycle of mites is key to effectively managing infestations. Mites thrive in warm, dry environments, and their life cycle—from egg to adulthood—can be astoundingly short, sometimes only a week, facilitating rapid population explosion. Here’s a simplified lifecycle:

Egg: Laid on the host plant, often hidden on the underside of leaves.
Larvae: The first stage after hatching, with limited movement.
Nymphs: After several molts, they become more mature and active.
Adult: Mature mites that can reproduce and inflict the most damage.

Keeping a close watch for mites is key! Take a peek for their tiny eggs with a magnifying glass to stop more from hatching. Catching them early is really important for keeping my succulents healthy.

Preventing Mites on Your Succulents

Preventing mites on succulents involves a combination of good plant care practices and proactive monitoring. Here are some tips to help keep your succulents mite-free:

Quarantine New Plants: When you bring home a new succulent, keep it away from your other plants for a couple of weeks to make sure it doesn’t have mites or other pests.
Keep Them Clean: Dust can attract mites. Gently wipe the leaves with a soft, damp cloth or use a soft brush to remove dust.
Proper Watering: Only water your succulents when the soil is dry. Overwatering can stress plants and make them more prone to pests.
Good Air Circulation: Make sure your succulents are in a place with good airflow. This helps prevent mites and other pests.
Regular Inspections: Check your succulents regularly for signs of mites or other pests, especially under the leaves and in tight spaces.
Avoid Overcrowding: Give your succulents enough space. When plants are too close, pests can spread more easily between them.
Use a Miticide: If you’ve had problems with mites before, you might want to use a preventive miticide that’s safe for succulents. Always follow the instructions on the label.
Healthy Plants: Keep your succulents healthy with the right light, temperature, and nutrients. Healthy plants are better at resisting pests.

By following these tips, you can reduce the chance of getting mites on your succulents. If you do spot mites, treat them quickly to prevent them from spreading.

Natural and Chemical Control Methods

When dealing with mites on succulents, my approach integrates both natural and chemical methods to ensure effective pest control while maintaining plant health.

Biological Control Agents

I often recommend introducing biological control agents such as predatory mites.

Using good bugs (beneficial insects) to fight bad bugs is a smart way to handle pests in gardens and farms and can also work really well on indoor plants. One helpful bug is the predatory mite called Phytoseiulus persimilis, which loves to eat harmful spider mites.

For these good mites to work well, they need it to be warm—above 70 degrees Fahrenheit. If it’s too cold, they won’t eat as much or have as many babies, which means they won’t be as good at controlling the spider mites.

It’s also important to make sure there’s just the right number of these good mites. If you put them in your plants too early when there aren’t enough spider mites for them to eat, they might die out. But if you wait too long, the spider mites might have already done a lot of damage.

You should check your succulent plants often to see how many spider mites and good mites there are. This way, you can add more good mites at the best time to stop the spider mites.

Lastly, if you use bug sprays, you have to be careful because they can kill the good mites too. It’s better to choose sprays that are safe for the good mites or to spray in a way that doesn’t hurt them.

Diatomaceous Earth to Fight Offer Mites on Succulents

Diatomaceous earth can help you fight off mites on your succulents. It’s a powder made from tiny fossilized water creatures called diatoms. Here’s how you use it:

Buy Food Grade: Make sure you get food-grade diatomaceous earth. It’s safe for plants and pets.
Wear a Mask: When you use the powder, wear a mask so you don’t breathe it in. It’s fine for the plants but not great for your lungs.
Dry the Plant: The succulent needs to be dry. If it’s wet, the powder will clump up and won’t work as well.
Sprinkle It On: Take a pinch of diatomaceous earth and sprinkle it lightly on the leaves of your plants and soil. Try to cover all the parts where you think mites might be hiding.
Be Gentle: Don’t put too much on. A thin layer is enough.
Reapply If Needed: If you water your plant or if it rains, you’ll need to put more diatomaceous earth on after it dries.

Remember, diatomaceous earth works best when it’s dry, and it might take a little time to see results. Keep checking your plant and use the powder again if you still see mites.

Insecticidal Soaps and Oils

For a less aggressive approach, I utilize insecticidal soaps and neem oil as a treatment. These solutions are effective against mites when applied directly to the affected areas. Here’s how I use them:

Neem Oil: Apply a diluted solution directly to the leaves, focusing on the undersides where mites typically reside.
Insecticidal Soap: Spray thoroughly, ensuring coverage of all plant surfaces, to disrupt the mites’ cell membranes and dehydrate them.

How to Apply Neem Oil to a Succulent

Applying neem oil to succulents is a natural way to deal with pests like aphids, mealybugs, and spider mites. Here’s a simple guide on how to do it safely:

Choose the Right Time: Apply neem oil in the evening or when the plant is not in direct sunlight. This helps prevent the leaves from getting burned, as the oil can act like a magnifying glass under strong light.
Dilute the Neem Oil: Mix the neem oil with water as per the instructions on the bottle. Typically, it’s about a teaspoon of neem oil to a quart of water. You can also add a few drops of mild liquid soap to help emulsify the oil, making it mix better with the water.
Test a Small Area: Before you spray the entire plant, test the solution on a small part of the succulent to make sure it doesn’t react badly. Wait 24 hours to see if there are any negative effects.
Spray the Plant: If the test area shows no damage use a spray bottle and proceed to spray the succulent lightly with the neem oil solution. Make sure to cover all parts of the plant, including the underside of the leaves where pests often hide. However, avoid over-saturating the plant, as succulents don’t like too much moisture.
Avoid the Soil (Optional): If you want to prevent the roots from getting too much oil, you can cover the soil with a plastic wrap or a cloth while spraying.
Repeat if Necessary: Neem oil works over time and may need to be reapplied every couple of weeks or as directed by the product’s instructions. It’s important to continue monitoring the plant for pests and reapply as needed.
Water Carefully: After applying neem oil, be cautious with watering. Succulents don’t need much water, and the oil can trap moisture, which could lead to rot if the plant is overwatered.

Remember, neem oil is generally safe for plants, but because succulents are sensitive to excess moisture, it’s important to apply it carefully to avoid any issues. Always follow the neem oil product’s specific instructions for the best results.

How to Use Rubbing Alcohol to Kill Mites on Succulents

Using rubbing alcohol (isopropyl alcohol) is an effective way to treat mites on succulents. Here’s how to do it safely:

Prepare the Solution: Mix equal parts of rubbing alcohol and water. For a stronger solution, you can use a higher concentration of alcohol, but be cautious as too strong a solution can damage the plant.
Test the Plant: Before treating the whole plant, test the alcohol solution on a small, inconspicuous part of the succulent. Wait 24 hours to see if the plant shows any signs of damage, such as discoloration or burn marks.
Apply with a Cotton Swab or Spray Bottle: If the test area shows no adverse reaction, you can apply the alcohol solution to the succulent. For small infestations, use a cotton swab dipped in the alcohol solution to gently wipe the affected areas. For larger infestations, fill a spray bottle with the solution and lightly mist the entire plant, ensuring you reach crevices where mites may hide. Be careful not to overdo it; succulents are sensitive to moisture.
Avoid Soaking the Soil: Try to apply the alcohol solution to the plant only, not the soil. Excess alcohol can damage the roots.
Allow the Plant to Dry: After treating the succulent, place it in a well-ventilated area to dry. Do not put it in direct sunlight immediately after application to prevent burning.
Repeat if Necessary: Check the plant after a few days, and if mites are still present, you can reapply the alcohol treatment. Some infestations may require multiple treatments.
Monitor the Plant: Keep an eye on the succulent for a few weeks to ensure that the mites are gone and that the plant isn’t showing any signs of stress from the treatment.

It’s important to note that while rubbing alcohol can be an effective treatment for pests, it can also be harmful to some plants. Always test it on a small area first and use it sparingly on your succulents. If you’re unsure about the sensitivity of your particular succulent species, consult a horticulturist or a reliable plant care resource.

Synthetic Pesticides

Sometimes, even when you try all the natural tricks to keep mites off your succulents, you might need a little extra help. That’s when I reach for some store-bought bug sprays that are made just for fighting mites on infected plants. I always make sure to follow the directions on the bottle super carefully because we want to zap just the mites, not harm any other friendly bugs or our environment.

I really think of these sprays as my last choice, though. It’s kind of like when you’ve tried all the home remedies for a cold, and you finally decide to go to the doctor for some medicine. You want to make sure you really need it first. And just like medicine, you’ve got to use it just right so it can do its job without any oopsies. So, let’s keep our green buddies safe and only pull out the heavy-duty stuff when we really have to!

Frequently Asked Questions

In this section, I address common concerns and provide straightforward solutions for combatting mites and spider mite infestations on succulents.

Can soapy water be safely used to treat succulent mites?

Yes, I’ve found that soapy water can be used safely. A mild solution can help control mites without damaging the plants. It’s important to rinse the succulent afterward to prevent soap residue.

Are small brown spots a sign of mites?

Small brown spots on your succulent could be a sign of mites, especially if the spots are numerous and appear where the mites have been feeding. Mites can cause damage that looks like tiny brown or rust-colored dots on the leaves. These spots might be from the mites’ feeding, which can kill the cells of the plant in those tiny areas.

However, brown spots can also be caused by other things, like:

Watering issues (too much or too little water)
Fungal infections
Bacterial infections
Too much direct sunlight (sunburn)
Nutrient deficiencies

To be sure if mites are the problem, you would need to look for other signs of mites, like fine webbing or actual tiny bugs on the plant. If you’re not sure, you can use a magnifying glass to help you see better. If you do find mites or other pests, it’s important to treat your succulent to keep it healthy.

How do you identify spider mite eggs?

Spider mite eggs are very tiny and can be difficult to see without magnification. However, you can identify them by looking for the following characteristics:

Size and Shape: Spider mite eggs are extremely small, about the size of a pinprick or a speck of dust, and are commonly spherical or round in shape.
Color: The eggs are often translucent, pearl-like, or pale in color when freshly laid. As they get ready to hatch, they may become more opaque.
Location: You’ll typically find spider mite eggs on the undersides of leaves, along the veins, or in webbing that the mites produce. They may be clustered together in groups.

To check for spider mite eggs on your succulents or other plants:

Use a Magnifying Glass: Since the eggs are so small, use a magnifying glass or a handheld lens to get a closer look at the leaves, especially the undersides.
Check for Webbing: Spider mites often leave fine, silky webs on the plants they infest. If you see webbing, there’s a good chance you’ll find eggs there too.
Inspect Regularly: Regularly inspecting your plants will help you catch spider mite eggs early before they hatch and the mites become a bigger problem.

If you do find spider mite eggs, it’s important to take action right away to control the infestation and prevent the eggs from hatching and adding to the mite population.

What if my succulent has a large mite infestation?

If your succulent has a large mite infestation, you’ll need to take immediate and more aggressive action to save your plant. Here’s what you can do:

Isolate the Plant: First, move the infected succulent away from your other plants to prevent the mites from spreading.
Prune the Plant: Carefully trim away the most affected parts of the plant with clean, sharp scissors or pruning shears. This might include leaves or stems that are heavily covered in mites or webbing.
Wash the Plant: Gently rinse the succulent with water to remove as many mites as possible. You can use a spray bottle or a gentle stream of water from a hose. Be careful not to damage the plant.
Treat with Miticide: Consider using a miticide or insecticidal soap that’s safe for succulents. Follow the instructions on the label carefully. You may need to apply it several times, according to the product’s directions.
Use Rubbing Alcohol: You can also use a 50/50 mixture of rubbing alcohol and water. Apply it to the plant with a spray bottle or a cotton swab for delicate areas. Test it on a small part of the plant first to make sure it doesn’t cause damage.
Apply Diatomaceous Earth: Once the plant is dry, you can sprinkle food-grade diatomaceous earth on the soil and on the plant itself to help kill any remaining mites.
Monitor and Repeat: Keep a close eye on your succulent and repeat the treatments as necessary. It may take several rounds to fully get rid of the mites.
Care for Your Succulent: After treating for mites, make sure your succulent gets the right care, including proper light, water, and temperature, to help it recover.
Prevent Future Infestations: To prevent mites from coming back, keep your succulent clean, check it regularly for pests, and maintain good air circulation around it.

If the infestation is severe and these steps don’t help, you may need to consult a professional or consider starting over with a new plant to avoid the mites spreading to others in your collection.

What are other common bugs that infect indoor succulents?

Indoor succulents can sometimes play host to a few pesky bugs besides mites. Here are some common culprits:

Mealy bugs: These are tiny, white, cottony bugs that hang out in nooks and crannies of your succulents, sucking the sap and weakening the plant.
Aphids: Small and usually green, these bugs love to crowd together and feast on the juicy parts of your plants.
Fungus Gnats: These little black flies buzz around your plant’s soil. Their larvae munch on organic matter and sometimes plant roots.
Scale Insects: These bugs look like little bumps on the plant stems or leaves. They stick to your succulents and suck out the sap.
Whiteflies: Tiny white flying bugs that swarm around your plant when disturbed. They’re sap-suckers too.

These bugs can stress out your succulents by stealing their vital juices or damaging their leaves and stems. If you spot any, it’s best to tackle the problem quickly to keep your plant pals strong and healthy. Remember, a happy succulent is a bug-free succulent!