What are the tiny red spiders on my tomato plants?
When a tomato plant is suffering from an infestation of spider mites, you might see tiny red spiders, webbing, and bronze or gray flecked or discolored leaves. Spider mites are related to spiders, scorpions, ticks and granddaddy long-legs, but they’re so small they’re often difficult to see.
What do spider mites do to tomato plants?
When spider mites invade your tomato plants, they inflict small wounds on the plants that can eventually harm or kill them. The mites feed on the plant's sap, working from the bottom of the plant to the top, and on the underside of the plant's leaves.
What are the benefits of spiders for tomato plants?
Spiders provide huge benefits to tomato plants, defending them from the many pests they attract. Many spiders hunt in the vegetable garden, since it is a common site for insect infestations. Large spiders such as orb weavers build enormous webs between plants large enough to support them.
What is eating my tomato plants?
Often, the problems with tomato plants will be related to tomato plant diseases, or environmental problems. But sometimes, pests will be the problem. There are a range of common pests that prey on tomato plants. In this article, we’ll help you discover what is eating your tomatoes. We’ll cover 20 common insect pests and how to deal with them.
How do you treat a red spider?
- Spray calcium-free water on the leaves to create a moist environment that will make them disappear. ...
- Hosing down & showering also dislodges red spider mite. ...
- For minor infestations, wipe a soft moist cloth on leaves (topside and underside).
How do you get rid of red spiders on tomatoes?
Where do tomato mites come from?
What do tomato mites look like?
Do spiders hurt tomato plants?
How do I keep spiders off my tomato plants?
What are the little white specks on my tomato plants?
What are the first signs of spider mites?
How do you control tomato mites?
What are the tiny black bugs on my tomato plants?
Do spider mites infest tomato plants?
How do I prevent spider mites in my garden?
Beneficial Predators
Many spiders hunt in the vegetable garden, since it is a common site for insect infestations. Large spiders such as orb weavers build enormous webs between plants large enough to support them.
Potentially Dangerous
While most spiders in the garden will happily hunt without posing any threat to gardeners, a few should be carefully monitored. Female Western black widow spiders (Latrodectus hesperus) are large, black web-spinning spiders distinguishable by the large red hourglass-shaped mark on the underside of their abdomens.
Spider Control
While spiders rarely require control, they can become nuisances and force homeowners to take action. If the population becomes excessive, discourage spiders from hanging around your tomatoes by removing hiding spots provided by organic debris, thick weeds and trash.
Spider Mites
If you've found a lot of fine silk on your tomatoes but not actually seen any spiders, you may have a web-spinning spider mite infestation. These tiny arachnids feed on plant tissues, unlike their better-known carnivorous cousins.
Spider Mites
Spider mites are related to spiders, scorpions, ticks and granddaddy long-legs, but they’re so small they’re often difficult to see. Several species of spider mites are garden pests. These species are colored red, yellow, green or brown, and their colors can change as the mites pass through various stages of maturity as the year progresses.
Spider Mites on Tomato Plants
Fine webbing on the undersides of leaves is the first sign you might notice of an infestation of spider mites on your tomato plant. These mites spin webbing to help protect themselves and their eggs from natural predators like lady beetles and velvet mites. They feed on the plants by inserting their fine, sharp mouthparts into plant cells.
How to Control Spider Mites Without Chemicals
Gardeners are sometimes understandably reluctant to use pesticides on garden vegetables and fruits. Luckily, there’s plenty you can do to control spider mites on tomato plants without using a harmful chemical spray.
Chemical Controls for Spider Mites on Tomatoes
Even though you may be tempted to reach for pesticide spray at the first sign of a spider mite infestation on your tomato plant, ideally, you should use this type of control only as a last resort. The downside of powerful pesticides is that they also destroy spider mite predators.
Growing Healthy Tomato Plants
Tomato plants that are unstressed, healthy and growing well are less likely to suffer from spider mite infestations. Avoid overcrowding your plants by spacing them according to the instructions on the seed packet or plant label. Standard varieties should be spaced 2 to 4 feet apart in rows 4 to 5 feet apart.
See More in My Video Below
I recorded a YouTube video showing the damage they caused and I give a few tips for dealing with them. Be sure to click play and watch!
Spider Mite Damage
Spider mites feed on plant tissues which is why the leaves they are eating on eventually become discolored.
How to Prevent Spider Mites
One of the best methods I’ve researched for preventing spider mites is to thoroughly spray a liquid seaweed spray twice a week to the foliage of your tomato plants.
Summary
All in all, spider mites are a huge problem, especially if they are not treated quickly!
Warnings
Keep in mind that not all solutions provided are considered organic. If you are trying to grow organic tomatoes, officially or unofficially, many of these options should not be used.
About This Article
This article was co-authored by Chikezie Onyianta. Chikezie Onyianta is a Pest Control Specialist and the Owner of EcoFusion Pest Control, serving communities in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and New York. With over 5 years of experience, he specializes in pest control in both residential and commercial spaces.
Introduce as Much Biodiversity as Possible
The more plants and animals there are in a garden ecosystem, the more resilient it can be.
Encourage and Protect Predatory Species
Also central to the idea of polyculture creation is attracting beneficial wildlife through planting. The right companion plants can attract pollinators and improve the yields of your crops.
Choose the Right Plants for the Right Places
Pests (and diseases) are more likely to trouble your tomatoes and other plants when the plants are under stress.
Practice Good Environmental Management
In nature, ecosystems can be amazingly resilient. Often, imbalances will be naturally addressed within the system.
Practice Good Plant & Tool Hygiene
One final (and very important) thing to remember is that in an organic garden, care must be taken to avoid and prevent the spread of pests (and disease).
1. Aphids
Aphids are sap-sucking insects that can become a problem not just for tomatoes but also for a range of other common garden plants and crops.
2. Blister Beetles
Blister beetles are members of the Meloidae family, and many different kinds are found across the US.
