Red spiders patrol my lemon tree

[RootLover1]

I was stupid enough to keep by camping backpack in the same room where my indoor lemon tree is and now I sometimes spot bright red spiders on the canopy. They are fast and I have always quickly killed them, preventing me from taking a photo. They are about 2 mm in length.

I hope they are not red spider mites because of their size. What would you do? I'm really fond of my tree and do not want an infestation.

 

[oneeye]

I was stupid enough to keep by camping backpack in the same room where my indoor lemon tree is and now I sometimes spot bright red spiders on the canopy. They are fast and I have always quickly killed them, preventing me from taking a photo. They are about 2 mm in length.

I hope they are not red spider mites because of their size. What would you do? I'm really fond of my tree and do not want an infestation.

Sounds like you lemon tree is stressed. If you are seeing webs, then it's spider mites. What I do if I see spider mites is use cold-pressed neem oil mixed with a drop of dish soap in warm water. I spray every 3 days for 12 days total. Then spray ever couple of weeks as a preventive it kill the freshly hatched eggs. Good luck friend.

 

[RootLover1]

No webs; I'm the only one who is stressed. Lemon tree started a growth spurt and is feeling great.

 

[RootLover1]

Was able to photograph one taking a stroll on the flowerpot.

 

[oneeye]

Was able to photograph one taking a stroll on the flowerpot.

Thats not a red spider mite.

 

[RootLover1]

Don't leave me hanging

 

[oneeye]

Thats not a red spider mite.

I'm sorry friend, I have very limited eyesight and miss-called it again. I'm wrong it is spider mites. A good way to get rid of them this to dilute some rubbing alcohol in water and wipe the plant down. When I had them I used cold pressed neem oil mixed with a drop of dish soap in warm water. It worked great because I've never seen them again.

 

[cpp gardener]

That is/was a predatory mite that is/was eating other mites and insects. Herbivores move slowly, predators are fast.