Spider mites are less than 1 millimeter long and can vary in color. They try to live on the underside of leaves where they will bite and suck out the sap, damaging the plant. Spider mites earned their name because they will make protective silk coverings over the leaves, plants, and trees that they live to help protect themselves from common predators. They are most common during the heat of summer as they like to live in dry and dusty environments, so it can help to keep your plants well fed with water. Spider mites can multiply very quickly, as an egg can hatch in about three days, and a female spider mite can be ready to lay her own eggs in as little as five days so it is very important to catch infestations early as they can grow rapidly.
