Question asked this week " What is that white spot on my plants? There is little webs on the leaves." You might say spider mites. Here is some information on them, and how to get rid of.

image from patchplants.com 

Back to cloudy weather, but warm at 38F(3C) but we are to have rain and sounds like we could have up to inch of rain.  That will make things soggy.  Low will be 27F(-3C) so be careful with the freezing temperatures.  Stay warm, stay dry, stay safe.
 
Australia family and friends for Friday Jan 9 will have extreme heat.  108F(42C).  Their average temperature is 76F(24C).   Weather alerts from Australia government Bureau of meteorology   extreme heat, fire weather, severe weather.  Stay cool, stay safe.  WOW that is hot.   

Here is an article on spider mites and how to get rid of them.  In summary, use soap to wash the leaves, use spray water to clean them off, and keep the soil moist.  Spider mites like humidity, and dry conditions.  You might have to do this daily or a few times a week.  Spider mites can live 3 to 5 days in the soil.  Keep the infected plant away from the rest of the houseplants.  There are chemical sprays to use, so read to see what to use and how to use them.  Hope this helps. 

How to Get Rid of Spider Mites on Indoor Plants
Learn the early signs of spider's mites on your plants and how to kill these common pests.   By Danielle Ernest
Take a close look at any leaves on your houseplants that are yellowing and have a stippled and dusty look. Perhaps you've also noticed tiny webs forming over flower buds, between leaves, or on the lower surfaces of the leaves. Then you've likely got spider mites on your indoor plants. A good way to check for these common houseplant pests is to tap affected leaves over a white piece of paper to cause the mites to fall off. If you see tiny specks moving around on the paper, you’ve found spider mites. These pests can multiply quickly, so immediate action is best when you find them on your favorite houseplants.
What are spider mites?
Spider mites, true to their name, have eight legs like spiders, distinguishing them from insects, which have six legs. These mites can be red, green, or yellow and are often difficult to see with the naked eye. However, their tiny webs, often found on plants, are easier to spot and indicate their presence. By sucking the sap from plant leaves, spider mites cause the leaves to appear mottled and unhealthy. If not controlled, a severe infestation can lead to leaf drop and stunted new growth. Rest assured, spider mites don’t pose any harm to humans and won’t spread around your home since they live only on plants.
Methods for Getting Rid of Spider Mites
You have a few options to eliminate spider mites from your indoor plants. One way is to physically remove them by gently wiping the mites away with your fingers or a soft cloth, then rinsing the leaves with water. Alternatively, you can use chemical treatments to eradicate these pests.
1. Physical Controls
Start with this approach as it's often effective, so you can avoid using harsh chemicals. You can rinse the affected plant in the shower or use a hose outdoors if the temperatures are mild enough to prevent plant damage. Focus the water on the undersides of the leaves, where spider mites tend to reside. A few rinses might be needed to fully remove the mites. Additionally, increasing humidity around your plant can help because spider mites thrive in warm, dry environments.
2. Pesticides
There are two main types of pesticides to consider: contact and systemic.
Contact pesticides: These are often used as liquid sprays and can quickly kill spider mites before they can multiply. However, be aware that they usually have a strong smell and should not be inhaled. When using these, always spray in a well-ventilated area, like a garden or balcony, to ensure safety. Some contact pesticides may also affect non-target species such as birds and fish, so handle them with care and carefully follow the instructions on the label. For a less toxic option, consider insecticidal soap or neem oil.
Systemic pesticides: These can be applied in several ways—mixed with water and poured over the soil, sprinkled as a granular product, or used as "pins" or "spikes" pushed into the soil, in addition to direct sprays. The active ingredients are absorbed by the plant, which then targets pests feeding on it. Systemic pesticides tend to have a longer-lasting effect than contact pesticides because they work throughout the plant.
How To Save Plants From Spider Mites?
To effectively treat spider mites, daily washing of plant leaves with water—on both the top and underside—is essential, as this removes the mites and deprives them of food, leading to their quick demise. Additionally, misting the plant a couple of times daily can help. Spider mites appear as tiny moving dots on leaves, indicating an infestation, especially in plants like Alocasia 'Frydek', known for their susceptibility. Methods to eliminate spider mites include physically wiping them off or using chemicals.
However, generalized advice is often inadequate. Keeping soil slightly humid can help deter spider mites, which thrive in dry conditions; thus, proper watering strategies are vital. Regularly hosing down plants is also effective in combating infestations and preventing new ones. Spider mites feed by extracting cellular contents, causing leaves to yellow. To manage severe infestations, incorporate both natural and organic approaches. Since spider mites prefer low humidity, increasing moisture levels—such as by grouping plants—can aid control measures.
A mixture of 90% rubbing alcohol and water can be used as a spray to target spider mites directly; thorough application is important, especially in hard-to-reach areas. Preventing the introduction of spider mites from new plants is crucial, so isolating them during a quarantine period and treating them can minimize risks. Regular inspection, maintaining air circulation, and avoiding overwatering are important preventive steps. Lastly, employing beneficial insects and horticultural oils can help manage spider mite populations effectively.
Can You Permanently Get Rid Of Spider Mites?
To effectively combat spider mite infestations, various commercial chemical pesticides like malathion, bifenthrin, cyfluthrin, and kelthane may be utilized, but only in severe cases where other methods fail. First, heavily infested leaves should be removed, and pressure-sprayed water can dislodge spider mites effectively. Signs of infestation include moving spots on plants and fine silky webbing typically found under leaves and between stems.
In addition, natural solutions like soap (Castile soap or dish soap) can help; mix 1 teaspoon with 1 quart of lukewarm water, shaking well, and apply liberally to plant leaves. Preventive measures include quarantining new plants, ensuring adequate watering, and removing damaged leaves.
Spider mites, tiny pests from the Tetranychidae family, can significantly damage both indoor and outdoor plants. To eradicate them, using 70% isopropyl alcohol sprayed directly on the plants can be effective and should be repeated every other day until all signs are gone. Moreover, combining 1 cup of rubbing alcohol with 4 cups of water in a spray bottle offers another solution. While complete extermination can be challenging, maintaining humidity above 50% and preventing decay can deter infestations.
Other control methods include pruning, proper watering, using horticultural oils, and releasing beneficial insects. Finally, neem oil serves as a natural pesticide effective against spider mite infestations by inhibiting their feeding and reproduction. With diligence and appropriate treatments, it is possible to eradicate spider mites within 2-4 weeks.
Do Spider Mites Damage Plants?
Certified Horticulturist Leslie Halleck highlights the severe damage spider mites can inflict on plants, particularly young and small ones. These minuscule pests, measuring only about 1 mm in length, pierce plant tissues to extract sap, leading to nutrient depletion, chlorophyll loss, and a drained appearance. They may appear as small white, red, tan, or black creatures, often identified later by the webbing they produce. Infestations can go unnoticed until the leaf damage becomes apparent, resulting in yellowing, spotting, or browning leaves.
Spider mites primarily affect houseplants and can significantly weaken plants by consuming the essential contents of their cells. Their feeding leads to characteristic speckling on leaves, causing a yellow or bronzed cast when many spots accumulate. While their damage can be severe, with prompt treatment and identification—such as using insecticidal soaps and oil sprays—plants can recover, especially when infestations are detected early.
The key to managing spider mites is thorough coverage of all plant surfaces during treatment, particularly the undersides of leaves where these pests typically reside. While plants with minimal damage may recover quickly, those under more substantial stress from infestations may require additional care. Optimal conditions for spider mites include hot and dry weather, which enables infestations to spread across ornamental and vegetable plants alike.
In conclusion, immediate attention and preventative measures are essential in managing spider mite populations to safeguard plant health and vitality.
Taken from https://www.bhg.com/how-to-get-rid-of-spider-mites-on-indoor-plants-7101248
Till next time this is Becky Litterer, Becky’s Greenhouse, Dougherty Iowa [email protected]  641-794-3337  cell 641-903-9365  Beckysgreenhouse.com  Facebook Becky Kerndt Litterer or Becky’s Greenhouse