Habits Spider mites prefer a hot, dry environment. At 75 o F, eggs will hatch in as few as 3 days. Spider mites tend to be first discovered on lower leaves close to the ground, especially on miniature roses. If left alone, they can quickly engulf the entire plant, causing severe defoliation and even death of the plant. Spider mites generally crawl from one plant to another, but can drift on silk threads.
Spider mites can also become a problem on indoor plants.
Diet Spider mites feed by piercing the epidermal cells with their sharp, mouthparts, and sucking out sap. When the sap is gone, the tissue of the leaf around the puncture collapses. A chlorotic spot forms around each feeding area, giving the leaf a yellow stipling or dotting. The easiest control is water. An irrigation system, using nozzles similar to Dramm , that regularly moistens the lower leaves will provide an inhospitable environment.