Author Question: How should an interiorscaper deal with an infestation of spider mites? Which ways are least ... (Read 45 times)

lunatika · **on:** Jul 21, 2018

How should an interiorscaper deal with an infestation of spider mites? Which ways are least invasive?

What will be an ideal response?

Question 2

What is honeydew and why is it especially problematic in interiorscapes?

What will be an ideal response?

eliasc0401 · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 21, 2018

Answer to Question 1

Spider mites are hindered by soaps and oils, so periodic sprays with insecticidal soaps can aid keeping
spider mites from gaining hold on leaves as will increasing humidity and keeping a plant clean. Dust
removal is another benefit of using soap solutions. A simple way of increasing humidity is to set plants
on trays of pebbles. Add water to the tray so that the water line is just below the point where the
pebbles and the bottom of the pot touch. The idea is not to set the plant in water, but to allow water
vapor through evaporation to humidify the air.

Answer to Question 2

Honeydew is an aphid excretion that is concentrated with plant sugars and leaves a sticky residue on
anything underneath the aphid. Add hundreds of aphids and you have a clear, but sticky mess on
clients fine wooden tables, marble flooring or luxury upholstery. At this stage, a client may think the
plant is gently weeping some type of plant sap and may call the problem to the technicians attention.
What can make matters worse is that the excrement does not stay clear for long, but allows for the
growth of black sooty mold, a fungus that grows on top of honeydew. The mold makes honeydew
more visible, but actually, the problem is from above, in the new growth regions of the plant. The
fourth problem associated with an aphid infestation is that carbohydrate-rich honeydew attracts ants.