Did Spider Mites Spend the Winter in your Garden

Now that spring is here you're probably out working in the garden. If you didn't clean up properly last fall, there may be dangerous pests eating away at the emerging plants.

Learn about spider mites that might be eating away at the new growth. Take steps to get rid of them now, before you have an infestation.

Spider Mites in the Garden

Fall Garden Cleanup will Reduce Mite Damage

Nov 10, 2009 Patrice Campbell

Spider mites winter in plant debris - Mateusz Stachowski

Adult spider mites winter below the soil surface, living in plant debris until the late spring warmth brings them up to feed on tender shoots.

Spider mites are arachnids, so small they can barely be seen. But the damage caused by the piercing and sucking pests is apparent in the garden and greenhouse. Yellow or white stippling, red spots or yellow dots on the leaves are a warning that if the leaf is turned over the mite will be found amongst cast skins and bits of excrement.

The spider mite injects toxins into plant tissue while it feeds.

Read more at Suite101: Spider Mites in the Garden: Fall Garden Cleanup will Reduce Mite Damage http://www.suite101.com/content/spider-mites-in-the-garden-a168160#ixzz1EWwCqQcn