spider mites on Asplenium Nidus
Quick answer
If your Asplenium Nidus has spider mites, the most likely cause is: Bird's nest fern (Asplenium nidus) shows bleached, pale leaves with fine webby material between the fronds and on the undersides when spider mites move in; the fern's broad, flat, apple-green fronds and the dry indoor air of a typical home give the mites an easy foothold, and the source notes that ferns are sensitive to pesticides so chemical miticides are not an option on this species.
Start here:
- 1. Clip off badly infested fronds with scissors and take the entire bird's nest fern into the shower, rinsing it with a gentle stream of water to physically dislodge mites and their webbing from the flat fronds and central nest.
- 2. Repeat the shower rinse twice weekly for about two weeks to break the mite life cycle, hand-wiping the broad leaves with a soft damp cloth afterwards and avoiding any pesticide sprays that would damage the fern's tender foliage.
Why Asplenium Nidus gets spider mites
asplenium nidus
Bird's nest fern (Asplenium nidus) shows bleached, pale leaves with fine webby material between the fronds and on the undersides when spider mites move in; the fern's broad, flat, apple-green fronds and the dry indoor air of a typical home give the mites an easy foothold, and the source notes that ferns are sensitive to pesticides so chemical miticides are not an option on this species.
How to reverse spider mites on Asplenium Nidus
- 1
Clip off badly infested fronds with scissors and take the entire bird's nest fern into the shower, rinsing it with a gentle stream of water to physically dislodge mites and their webbing from the flat fronds and central nest.
- 2
Repeat the shower rinse twice weekly for about two weeks to break the mite life cycle, hand-wiping the broad leaves with a soft damp cloth afterwards and avoiding any pesticide sprays that would damage the fern's tender foliage.
Keep spider mites off this Asplenium Nidus
Raise ambient humidity around the bird's nest fern, mist or rinse the fronds regularly, inspect the leaf undersides and central crown for early webbing, and isolate any new houseplants for a couple of weeks before placing them near the fern so mites cannot hitchhike in.