Successfully combat spider mites on roses

Garden lovers fear little more than the common spider mite, which likes to appear in dry, warm weather and usually multiplies explosively. Since it is often discovered too late, combating it is difficult. Although there are various chemical aids for elimination, most hobby gardeners prefer to use proven household remedies to protect the environment.

Various spider mites attack rose bushes

There are different types of spider mites that can attack rose bushes. The common spider mite is the most common. Unfortunately, the garden lover usually only recognizes the infestation when it is too late and the first leaves appear withered and limp. An important measure to prevent infestation by spider mites from occurring in the first place is the right location for roses. Roses, which often suffer from spider mite infestation, are usually placed close to the wall of the house or in places where there is hardly any air circulation. A rose should be in full sun, but it should also be exposed to constant air movement. In addition, a strong, healthy rose will not be attacked by pests because it develops its own defenses. Therefore, fertilization with a focus on potassium should be carried out regularly in order to strengthen the rose itself. Clean rose beds also help to protect the rose, as damp foliage allows spider mite migration paths to run through them.

Proven home remedies

Combating the spider mite is therefore so difficult, since most of the remedies are either suitable for killing the larvae or eliminating the adult mites. There are various chemical cocktails in specialist shops that many garden owners swear by. However, they usually damage the environment and ultimately the plant itself. Therefore, it makes sense to use proven home remedies, which are usually cheaper. A simple method is to wash the rosebush with lukewarm water with a few drops of detergent. This will remove the adult spider mites and get rid of most of the larvae as well. However, it is seldom that this treatment works the first time. After two days, the larvae that survived this treatment hatched and started a new spider mite cycle. It is therefore advisable to repeat this treatment a total of three times every two days to ensure that a new spider mite cycle does not start.

Natural enemies

Biologically oriented gardeners tend to believe in strengthening the balance of nature and therefore rely on their natural enemy, the predatory mite, when fighting spider mites. It can be bought inexpensively in specialist shops and the animals are simply exposed to the infested rose bushes. Nature takes care of the rest. This method has several advantages, because an excessive infestation of spider mites can only occur in the absence of natural enemies. While this method costs some money, it also has the advantage of being easy and convenient, which is particularly good for gardening enthusiasts who are short on time. Unfortunately, the predatory mite also spreads to humans, but this can be avoided by following the supplier's instructions carefully. The predatory mites usually only have to be settled once in the garden in order to then control the spider mite population. In this way, and by choosing the right location for roses, the roses usually remain protected from spider mite infestation in the long term.

Spray solutions for large-scale infestationl

If a gardener has several rose bushes that are infested with spider mites, they can also use a garden sprayer to stop the infestation. For this, you can make a brew yourself from various agents that kills the spider mites. Nettle leaves, lots of garlic and onions, which are poured over with boiling water, belong in this brew. The brew steeps overnight and is then strained. Many home gardeners mistake the smell for the pest repellent, however, both the bulb and contain also the garlic has various essential oils, which also have an antiseptic, antibacterial effect have. That is why these ingredients also attack the spider mites in their adult state as well as the larvae. However, with this measure, it is better to repeat this procedure every two days in order to the cycle of the mites, which take 20 days from larva to sexual maturity, to be sustained break through

Tropical House Method

The tropical house method is an effective method, although it doesn't look so appealing for a few days. Spider mites like a dry and warm climate, they do not tolerate high humidity. That's why a hobby gardener should possibly use a plastic bag if the plant is not too big. First the rose has to be watered well and then a closed, transparent plastic bag is slipped over it, which is closed tightly on the rose bush. An unpleasant climate for spider mites now forms in this shell, in that they do not thrive but die off. The plastic bag can be removed after three days without damaging the plant. This method also has the advantage that the spider mite has no chance of spreading to other plants. After all, the common spider mite can inhabit up to 100 different plants. However, this method is only suitable for rather small varieties and climbing roses or large rose bushes can no longer be treated in this way.

frequently asked Questions

Worth knowing about spider mites in brief

damage picture

• Both the larvae and the adults suck plant sap and thus weaken the plants.
• The female spider mites overwinter. If you are unlucky and the conditions are good, they will start laying eggs as early as spring.
• With a light infestation, fine, yellowish speckles can be found on the rose petals.
• If the critters are overlooked and left unchecked, the leaves will turn yellow or bronze and often fall off.
• With a magnifying glass you can see the spider mites. They sit on the underside of leaves.
• If the infestation is severe, you will then see the typical webs, especially around the buds and upper sections of the branches and in the forks of the branches.

prevention

• It is important to find the ideal location for the roses. It should be sunny, but also airy.
• Spider mites like to appear when the air humidity is low and there is a lack of air movement.
• They are particularly common on plants under roofs, on walls and corners of houses.
• Only healthy, strong roses are resistant to diseases and pests.
• A balanced fertilization with a focus on potassium serves to strengthen the roses.
• It is important to remove fallen leaves and plant remains in autumn. This prevents the mites from migrating to the roses.

combat

• Chemical control is often the only way to get rid of the pests. Most remedies use rapeseed oil as an active ingredient.
• But acequinocyl, mineral oils, potash soap or fenpyroximate are also used.
• There are sprays, sticks that are stuck into the ground and agents that have to be dissolved in the irrigation water.
• The funds that are absorbed by the plants have proven to be effective. When the spider mites suck on the rose, they ingest it and die.
• With a spray it is difficult to catch all the animals. Only a few survive and the cycle starts all over again.

home remedies

• Mix a few drops of washing-up liquid with water and spray the roses with it.
• However, you have to spray more on the underside of the leaves, because that's where most of the spider mites are.
• Don't spray when the sun is shining, though, because then the leaves will burn.
• You have to repeat the process every few days until you get rid of the pests.
• It does have one downside, however. Dish soap will also loosen the protective wax layer on the rose petals.
• In this way, fungal spores have free access and you may from the rain in the eaves.
• Boiling a handful of cigarette butts, sieving them through and watering the plants with them can also help.
• The solution is good for pot plants, but only limited for roses planted out, because a lot of water simply runs away.

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