5 Early Signs of Spider Mites

Your indoor plants suddenly seem a little... off. The leaves are speckled, have a dusty sheen, and is that webbing? You might be seeing early signs of spider mites—one of the sneakiest plant pests. These microscopic menaces can turn lush greenery into crispy, sad foliage before you even know they’ve made themselves at home—in yours. Catching them early is key, which is why it helps to look for these subtle signs your plants are sharing their space.

Why Are Spider Mites Dangerous to Plants?

Spider mites may be tiny, but their impact on indoor plants can be larger than life. As these bugs feed, they multiply—quickly—and can turn a thriving houseplant into a crispy, cobwebbed skeleton in the blink of an eye. If left unchecked, they don’t just stress out houseplants—they can kill them. This is why early detection can keep you from adding another plant to the graveyard left by these plant-killing insects. 

Signs of Spider Mites

The sooner you clock these subtle signs, the better chance your plants have of surviving an unwelcome spider mite infestation. 

1. Specks on Leaves

In their mission to fill their bellies, spider mites leave behind small, pale dots on the plant leaves they feast on. This is called speckling, and it’s one of the earliest signs of spider mites. These spots will appear on the upper surface of leaves, so regular inspection of your plants can help spot this initial sign. 

2. Fine Webbing 

They wouldn’t earn the “spider” in their name if these mites didn’t weave a noticeable web, though spider mite webs are much more thin and silky. Their webs are less noticeable, too, since they often appear between leaf joints, among stems, or on the undersides of leaves. 

3. Dusty Plants 

Spider mite waste can leave behind a film on plants that resembles dust, so if your peace lily is suddenly looking faded or filmy, try wiping down its leaves with a damp white cloth. If you see brown or red residue on the towel, it could be evidence of spider mites.  

4. Leaf Curling & Discoloration 

Where small specks are the first signs of these houseplant pests, lead curling and discoloration indicate more advanced infestation that could cause harm to your plants. Leaves that look pale, bronzed, or sunburned have been damaged by spider mites and will need some extra TLC to be brought back to life. 

5. Slow Growth 

You’re watering on your regular schedule and giving your plant babies plenty of light, but growth has stalled. This can be another early sign that spider mites have slid their way into your plant and made it their personal habitat. The longer they go undetected, the more damage they can do and the more danger they pose to your plants. 

When to Hire a Pro to Treat Spider Mites

Just like there are signs your plants are being attacked by spider mites, there are additional signs that signal it’s time for a professional to step in. If you’ve tried to treat the problem yourself and are still experiencing the following problems, hire a local exterminator: 

• Multiple plants are affected 

• Webbing is showing up almost everywhere 

• Plants are dying despite treatment 

• The infestation keeps returning

How to Prevent a Spider Mite Infestation

Preventing a spider mite infestation starts with keeping your plants healthy and your environment less inviting to these tiny pests. Since they thrive in hot, dry conditions, spider mites are less likely to invade your plants if you mist them on a regular basis and maintain higher levels of humidity to deter them.

A few tips to prevent an infestation include: 

• Inspecting new plants before bringing them indoors

• Quarantine new plants for a few weeks to catch hidden infestations early

• Wiping down plant leaves with a damp cloth or spray them with water 

• Avoiding the use of chemical insecticides, which can kill beneficial predators that naturally keep spider mite populations in check

How Much Does It Cost to Get Rid of Spider Mites?

The cost of pest control ranges from $50 to $500, depending on the severity of the infestation and the area that you’re treating. The more extensive the infestation and the larger the square footage of the space, the more likely you are to fall on the $500 range of the cost. Spider mites, however, tend to be less invasive and destructive than bed bugs or termites, so treating them may be closer to the national average, which is $170. It’s worth the cost of hiring a pest control pro to remove these pests permanently from your home.