If your leaves look speckled, faded, or dusty and you notice fine webbing on plants, spider mites may be the cause.
What They Look Like
Spider mites are extremely small and usually not visible unless you look very closely.
They may appear red, brown, yellow, or green depending on the type.
They cluster on the undersides of leaves and are often missed until damage appears.
Fine webbing between leaves or stems is a key sign once populations increase.
Damage Signs
Leaves develop tiny white or yellow speckles
Leaves may turn dull, yellow, or bronze
Plants may look dry or dusty even when watered
Fine webbing appears between leaves or along stems
Leaves may dry out, drop, or decline quickly under heavy pressure
Plants Affected
Tomatoes
Peppers
Beans
Cucumbers
Squash
Strawberries
Melons
Fast Control (Start Here)
Spray plants with a strong stream of water, especially the undersides of leaves
Repeat regularly to knock down populations
Act early before webbing becomes heavy
Focus on hot, dry areas where mites tend to build
Additional Control Options
Use insecticidal soap, making sure to cover leaf undersides
Apply neem oil or horticultural oil if needed
Repeat treatments to break the life cycle
Thorough coverage is critical for control
Prevention
Keep plants well watered and reduce heat stress
Rinse plants occasionally during hot weather
Encourage beneficial insects
Avoid unnecessary insecticide use, which disrupts natural predators
Maintain good airflow and spacing between plants
Notes for Gardeners
Spider mites thrive in hot, dry conditions
Damage often appears before the pests are noticed
Webbing is usually a sign that populations are already high
Increasing humidity can slow them down
Early action is much easier than dealing with a full infestation
See Also
Garden Pest Identification Guide (The Dirty Dozen)
Common Tomato Pests
Preventing Heat Stress In The Garden
