Spider mites are not easy to see with the naked eye, so unfortunately, many people don’t discover them until they have done a significant amount of damage to your trees. Working with a landscaping company with certified arborists on staff is a good way to ensure any signs of a spider mite infestation are spotted and treated early. There are some signs of spider mites you can also detect yourself. Here is what you need to know about identifying a spider mite infestation and what you can do to reduce the risk.
Signs of Spider Mites
When you have spider mites, the signs are usually most noticeable on your foliage. Look out for leaves that are drooping or that look brown and wilted. Leaves infested by spider mites may also become spotted or turn yellow and curl up. You might notice tiny structures that look like spider webs on the leaves of your tree. Affected trees may also shed an excessive amount of leaves, and with conifers, excessive needle and cone loss is also common. If you notice any of these signs, call your landscaping company so that their arborist can come out and inspect your trees to make a diagnosis and determine a plan of action.
Preventing Spider Mites
One of the most impactful things you can do to reduce the risk of spider mites is to practice proper tree and landscaping maintenance. Prune, water, and feed as recommended by your landscaping company. Spider mites often prey on unhealthy trees, but if a healthy tree is infested, it is more likely to survive than one that has not received proper care. If you suspect you have mites, spray your trees with water. Mites thrive in dry conditions, so water will spray away any mite eggs that exist on the tree and make the tree less hospitable.
At Complete Landscaping, our certified arborists in Tucson know how to manage the challenging job of desert tree maintenance. Find out more about our work by calling (520) 323-8918.