There are many different types of spider mites that can infest your banana plant. The best known is probably the common spider mite. It is only about half a millimeter long and can hardly be seen with the naked eye.
How can I control spider mites on banana plants?
To combat spider mites on banana plants, you should rinse the plant thoroughly if the infestation is small, use rapeseed oil or neem preparations if the infestation is severe, or use a systemic agent. Increase humidity to prevent spread.
Where do spider mites come from?
When it comes to combating them, it is irrelevant where the spider mites on your banana plant come from. If the plant is new, you may have already “bought in” the mites. The same thing can happen to you when you buy potting soil.
How do I recognize a spider mite infestation?
At the beginning, the infected banana plant usually still looks he althy. The spider mites themselves are practically invisible, but the fine web may be. If the infestation is severe, the leaves turn yellow and hang limply.
What can I do against spider mites?
Sometimes the solution is to increase the humidity or spray the plant with lukewarm water. But you shouldn't rely on it because spider mites can be very stubborn. If the infestation is classified as minor, then it may be enough to spray your banana plant with a sharp jet of water. However, the water should not be too cold and preferably low in lime.
Then place a clear plastic bag over your plant and place it in a warm place. A warm, humid “greenhouse climate” develops under the bag in which spider mites do not feel at all comfortable. If the infestation is severe, sometimes only a systemic remedy can help. You can also try neem preparations or rapeseed oil-based products beforehand.
How do I protect my banana plant from spider mites?
Spider mites prefer to emerge in winter, when the air is dry and warm due to the heating. Ensure that the humidity is at least 50 percent so that you can at least contain the spread of the pests.
The most important things in brief:
- be sure to intervene immediately
- for minor infestations: rinse the plant thoroughly
- for severe infestations: rapeseed oil or neem preparations, systemic agent
Tip
The sooner you fight spider mites on your banana tree, the better the chances of saving the plant.
