Question
Ack! This other plant of mine came down with spider mites, and some of them have infested my ventrata. It does not seem like a bad infestation but I have separated the infested plants and sprayed them with Safer 3-in-1 garden spray, which I hope was okay to use. Do you have any recommendations for preventing mites? It does not look like my other nephenthes have been infested and I want to keep it that way.

Thanks as always!

Answer
Hi Katie,

Fortunately, Nepenthes are pretty tough plants.  I haven't found them sensitive to any insecticides so far.  Watch to see if your current insecticide is killing the mites.  Spider mites are one of the toughest pests to kill.  If it isn't working, see if you can find an insecticide that is based on permethrin.  This substance if particularly toxic to arachnids and works well.  It's also what's used in medications for treating lice and scabies in humans, so it is fairly safe to mammals.  Be sure to repeat the treatment at recommend intervals to kill new hatchlings.

For preventing the mites always inspect any new plants coming into the area such as new houseplants.  That usually seems to be culprit when they get introduced.  Spider mites also dislike humidity, so misting frequently can help some, but isn't totally reliable.  I just had to treat two plants in our Nepenthes house, which is very humid in the winter.


Good Growing!

Jeff Dallas
Sarracenia Northwest
http://www.cobraplant.com