Does my cactus have spider mites? I’ve read they live on leaves. Cacti don’t really have leaves. And this one is growing a new sprout. But I noticed this webbing. I had noticed the white stuff but nothing else abnormal, and with it growing a new sprout, just thought it was doing its own thing. If it is spider mites what would be the best way to handle this and cure my plant? TIA🙏
This is the cactus as a whole
Had the same problem with my ornamental pepper plant. They were little whitish clear spider mites everywhere with little webs and eventually just threw out the plant because they were killing the peppers and it was near where my kids play. I hope you find a way to save your cactus!
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I just got over spider mites on my roadkill cactus! Neem oil did the trick
0 likesDid you spray the neem oil all over the plant every day? And also on soil? Please tell me exactly what you did so I can have the same success!😅🙏
0 likes I tried to clean as much of the gunk off the pads with vinegar and a qtip. Then I used one of those amazon misters with a bit of neem oil diluted in water. I also dumped some neem oil in the soil and then watered heavily over it. (Idk if that’s recommended or not tho)
1 likeIf it worked I’m willing to give it a try!
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Yes, those are spider mites. Physical removal of any mites and webs along with any sort of insect soap, or spinosad applications. Definitely quarantine and treat all nearby plants and surfaces. Treat them all with extreme prejudice, and do so quickly and heavily. Spider mites can double or triple population overnight, and will explode in numbers after the first treatment, so quick follow up treatments are required. Spider mites can be beaten, but it can be difficult and you NEED to treat the area and plants around where the infected plant was found.
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I’ve found that with cleaning cacti of any pests it helps to use a soft bristle toothbrush. Neem oil treatments in the evenings out of harsh light to avoid burn, quarantine from other plants to avoid spread. You could even try a test patch with any spray used to ensure the plant doesn’t react poorly— good luck!🫶🏻
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Second the mention of Neem at night. I burned a few on accident - but they're still okay....just discolored.
Thanks everyone for your help! I’ll see if the neem oil treatment works🤞
0 likes Don't forget to physically remove as much visible web and mites as possible. Treat again sooner rather than later, and be prepared to see an explosion in more numbers within like 24-72 hours of your first treatment (that's just how spider mites react to treatments). You're cactus might get some burns from the neem, but it will recover (you can keep it out of direct sunlight until the neem dries to help prevent as many burns).
0 likesI did remove the webbing before spraying. Haven’t seen any actual spiders. We’ll see when I wake up tomorrow 🫣
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