Does vinegar eliminate spider mites?
Written by
Tina Carter
Reviewed by
Prof. Martin Thorne, Ph.D.Vinegar is commonly marketed as a home remedy for spider mites, but is infrequently effective. Vinegar can kill certain pests on contact due to its acidity, but the mites will disperse before they can be treated uniformly. Even worse, the pH of vinegar is strong enough to burn the leaves off of plants! Damaged leaves are a great invitation to welcome even more pests.
Ineffective Penetration
- Mite mobility: Adults escape spray droplets
- Egg protection: Waxy coatings shield eggs from vinegar
- No residual effect: Dries too quickly to disrupt lifecycles
Plant Damage Risks
- Leaf burn: pH under 3.0 destroys cell membranes
- Soil harm: Kills beneficial microbes in potting mix
- Repeat stress: Weakens plants' natural defenses
Safer Alternatives
- Rosemary oil: Disrupts mite nervous systems without residue
- Insecticidal soap: Breaks down exoskeletons in 4 hours
- Predatory mites: Phytoseiulus persimilis eliminate 95% of adults
First, to obtain fast results, blend 1 tbsp Castile soap into 1 quart of water. Spray the leaf undersides at dawn when the mites are least active. It will suffocate adult mites in hours. Finally, rinse leaves by noon to prevent sunscald. Repeat once every 72 hours for two weeks.
It is important to apply predatory mites when 50% or more of the leaves are infested. Phytoseiulus persimilis are effective at the temperature range of 70-80°F (21-27°C). I did this practice in a client's greenhouse and removed the infestation in just 10 days. They eat 5-20 miles a day and take care of themselves in the host population.
Stay clear of homemade solutions that include vinegar or oils. The varying concentrations can lead to damage to your plants. In 2021, a study was conducted that showed rosemary oil sprays to be 8;1 more effective in killing mites than vinegar. If there is a heavy outbreak of mites, consider buying a commercial miticide. Prevention is always more effective than any reactive treatment.
Read the full article: Spider Mite Control: Proven Strategies for Healthy Plants
