As temperatures plummet across the UK, certain pests are scrambling for a place to hibernate in greenhouses. Here’s how to control red spider mite infestations this winter
Garden experts have warned that certain pests could be hiding in your greenhouse this winter.Tiny red spider mites tend to hibernate in cracks and crevices such as greenhouse frames and plant debris. The species are considered pests because they suck sup from plants, causing devastating consequences. Experts stressed you should look out for pests on greenhouse plants such as tomatoes, cucumbers, aubergines and peppers. Homeowners should also keep an eye on house plants such as poinsettias and orchids.
If you forget to check your plants, the creepy crawlies can quickly cause havoc in your greenhouse. They can slightly differ in colour from summer to winter and go from being pale green to red and orange in the colder months. It’s important to try and get control of them in the winter as they can multiply in the warmer seasons.
British Pest Control Association (BPCA) recently issued an alert about the pests and said they try to search for spaces to hide in winter, reports Pest Magazine. Natalie Bungay, technical manager at BPCA, revealed they can “move indoors in very large numbers”.
She said: “A few Red Spider Mites around the home is not unusual in the autumn, but occasionally, they can move indoors in very large numbers which can be both distressing and cause issues with staining. DIY treatment of a mite infestation is unlikely to be successful as there are two species in the UK and correct identification is key. The two species have very different habits and understanding this is essential to effective control.”
How to banish the pests this winter
- Remove infested leaves, buds and stems: This will help decrease the size of the infestation and will help with damage control towards your plants.
- Increase humidity: Red spider mites enjoy warm and dry conditions so increasing the humidity will stop them from feeding on plants. You can increase humidity levels by using tepid water or damping down the floor of your greenhouse with water.
- Add predatory mites to control red spider mites: You can try to release a predatory mite such as Phytoseiulus persimilis, on your plants to get a hold of the situation.
