At what temperature does the spider mite die?

There are many problems that can affect cannabis crops, such as different pests. High temperatures and pests are often related, which makes it common for them to appear in summer. One of the most common and difficult to exterminate is the spider mite. The survival and reproduction of the spider mite are influenced by several factors, including temperature. Therefore, it is necessary to know how and at what temperature the spider mite dies.

Red Spider mite: what is it?

The spider mite, known as Tetranychus urticae, is a small mite of the Tetranychidae family, a common pest in crops such as marijuana. On the Peninsula, it is usually present in areas with a mild climate, causing great damage.

Characteristics of the red spider mite

Some of the characteristics to easily recognize them are as follows:

• The adult spider mite is small and has a length of 0.5 mm, which makes it visible to the naked eye only when it is in large populations.
• They usually have a color that in spring and summer can vary between yellow or light/dark green, red, brown, or almost black. This often depends on the plant it feeds on.
• They have two dark spots on their back, known as two-spotted spider mites.
• They usually appear on the underside of the leaves.
• The life cycle is 20–28 days for females and 14 days for males.

Spider mite habitat

The spider mite is a species of hot and dry climates. The optimal temperature for the spider mite is between 30–32 °C, when it develops rapidly and can reach a high reproduction rate, which makes it a dangerous pest for crops. Between 25 and 30 degrees, they will reproduce a little more slowly. But at what temperature does the spider mite die?

Thus, at extremely high or low temperatures, the spider mite can suffer and die. At temperatures below 10 degrees, it begins to suffer stress and its development slows down. If the temperature drops below 0 degrees, the spider mite can die. However, this rarely happens in nature, as the spider mite tends to seek shelter in warm places during the winter.

On the other hand, extremely high temperatures can be harmful to the spider mite. At temperatures above 40 degrees, the spider mite begins to suffer thermal stress and can die, especially if these weather conditions are maintained for a prolonged period.

Environmental factors that affect the spider mite

In addition to temperature, there are other environmental factors that affect the survival and reproduction of the spider mite. Humidity is one of the most important factors. A relative air humidity of less than 60% can reduce the survival of the spider mite. Therefore, adequate humidity must be maintained in crops to avoid spider mite infestation.

Access to food is also a key element in the survival and reproduction of the spider mite. It feeds on plants and can be a complicated pest in many types of crops beyond cannabis, including tomatoes, peppers, and strawberries.

A high population of spider mites can cause damage to the leaves, such as discoloration, deformation, and early leaf drop. The first visible symptoms are small yellow or whitish spots, especially around the central veins. This can reduce the quality and quantity of the harvest.

Spider mite control

There are several methods to eliminate spider mites in marijuana and control their population in crops. One of the most common methods is the use of insecticides. However, it must be taken into account that some can have negative effects on the environment and on other insect species.

Another system to control the spider mite population is with biological control techniques, simply by introducing certain predatory insects such as mites, among which are species such as Phytoseiulus persimilis. These insects can feed on the spider mite and help reduce its population. This method is more environmentally friendly and can be effective in reducing the spider mite population.

On the other hand, the spider mite population can be controlled with the use of sticky traps that are placed in the crops and attract the spider mite, which helps to reduce its population. You can also use pruning of affected leaves and the removal of weeds, as these are areas where the spider mite tends to nest. You can find multiple products for pest control. Among the best insecticides to eliminate spider mites is Spider Boom from Boom Nutrients, created specifically to combat this pest. Buy all these products at the best price in our grow shop, along with everything else you need for your crop.

The spider mite is a common pest in crops that can cause significant damage. Temperature is an important factor that affects the survival and reproduction of the spider mite, as well as humidity or access to food. To be able to combat it, it is interesting to know at what temperature the spider mite dies. To avoid problems with this insect during cultivation, it is advisable to choose quality cannabis seeds that are resistant to pests.