There are a wide variety of applications for hydrogen peroxide in the house. In addition to removing stains, lightening teeth, killing fungi, and much more, a common issue among gardeners is, does hydrogen peroxide kill spider mites.
Yes, hydrogen peroxide kills spider mites, but it doesn’t kill its eggs. Mix hydrogen peroxide (3%) with water in a ratio of 1:1, and spray it on the plant’s leaves to kill the spider mites.
In this blog, you will learn a lot about spider mites, including how to get rid of them naturally, using different chemicals, and how hydrogen peroxide kills them.
Hydrogen Peroxide and its Properties
Hydrogen peroxide is a tasteless liquid at room temperature. Hydrogen peroxide gas exists in small concentrations in the atmosphere. Hydrogen peroxide is unstable and quickly breaks down into oxygen, water, and heat.
It works as a bleaching agent and a disinfectant. Concentrated hydrogen peroxide is a type of oxygen that is very reactive and is used as a rocket fuel. Hydrogen peroxide’s chemical formula is H2O2.
It has an extrapolated melting point and a boiling point. It hydrates in water and is miscible with water at any concentration. Hydrogen peroxide breaks down when exposed to sunlight.
Traces of alkaline metals speed up this process. Wax-lined glass or plastic containers are used to store H2O2 in the dark. Dust particles can cause explosive disintegration of this substance, so it’s best to keep them away.
Effectiveness Of Diluted Hydrogen Peroxide
Most hydrogen peroxide sold in stores has a concentration of 3%, which is used as a disinfectant. Diluting 3% hydrogen peroxide with water yields a 0.5% concentration, which is still effective.
Hydrogen peroxide loses its effectiveness over time. The process of decay begins even before you open the product. It will break down into water and oxygen gas in a closed container.
Only water is left when the oxygen gas leaves through the top of the container. Water is ineffective as a disinfectant or for home cleaning. Hydrogen peroxide stays good for about three years in a sealed container.
Is Peroxide Alone Effective in Killing Spider Mites?
Yes, peroxide alone can also kill spider mites. Peroxide won’t kill its eggs. Use three % peroxide, the maximum strength available at most drugstores. Please put it in a spray bottle and apply it to the affected plants’ soil surface, crown, and leaf undersides to kill the spider mites.
You can buy peroxide in concentrated form and dilute it to the required strength if you need to spray a large area or if spider mites are a persistent problem. Even after just one application, you’ll notice a big difference, but it’s best to keep using it every day for about a week to ensure all the mites are dead.
Is Hydrogen Peroxide Effective in Killing Spider Mite Eggs?
No, hydrogen peroxide alone is not efficient in killing spider mite eggs. Spraying the plants with a forceful stream of water kills the spider mites and their eggs, killing both. Most of the time, the force of the water breaks the eggs and kills the adults, too. The water also hurts the spiders’ webs, which makes it hard for them to lay eggs.
A solution of equal parts rubbing alcohol and tap water is another way to kill spider mite eggs. Wipe each leaf, including the underside and the stem, with care. Then, pour the solution into a spray bottle and use it to wet the whole plant thoroughly.
How to Use Hydrogen Peroxide to Kill Spider Mites?
- To kill spider mites, clean the area with soap and water to get rid of any visible dirt or grime.
- Then, spray the surfaces with a 1:1 mixture of water and peroxide. Using 3% hydrogen peroxide to eliminate these pests is cheap, safe for the environment, and doesn’t cost much.
- Let it sit for at least five minutes.
- Food-contact surfaces, such as cutting boards, should be rinsed, but other surfaces can be air-dried.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say that hydrogen peroxide is a safe and effective way to clean surfaces that don’t have living things on them.
Do Spider Mites Kill When Treated with Dish Soap?
Yes, dish soap will kill spider mites. Soaps can be used to get rid of many different pests that eat plants. Soaps are most likely to kill small arthropods with soft bodies, like psyllids and spider mites. At concentrations of 0.5%, Ivory liquid dishwashing soap effectively got rid of spider mites. Spider mites can also be killed with Dawn dish soap.
To a gallon of water, add three tablespoons of dish soap. Remove all leaves that spider mites have severely damaged. Pour the solution into a spray bottle and spray all over the plants where the mites are. Also, insecticidal soap kills spider mites on touch and forms a residue that prevents future infestations for at least 30 days.
Does Rubbing Alcohol Kill Spider Mites?
Yes, rubbing alcohol kills spider mites. Alcohol dries away the protective coats on their exoskeletons, allowing moisture to remain intact. As a result, the pest loses water quickly and dies within a few hours. Additionally, it also kills spider mite eggs.
In a bowl, mix 1 part rubbing alcohol with four parts water. Then, use a clean cloth to rub the mixture on your plant’s leaves. This mixture can also be put in a spray bottle and used to spray the leaves. Do this every day until all of the mites are dead. A 70% solution of isopropyl alcohol is another good way to get rid of spider mites.
Does Vinegar Kill Spider Mites?
Yes, vinegar kills spider mites. Because it has acetic acid, vinegar is a great way to get rid of pests. It can eliminate some of the most common backyard pests and kill weaker insects. Spider mites are the ones it works best on. You can keep spider mites from coming into your home by spraying vinegar around the edges and entrances.
In a spray bottle, combine one-eighth of a cup of apple cider vinegar, one cup of water, half a teaspoon of baking soda, and a few drops of gentle dish soap. Because this is more of a repellent, it should only be put on or near landscaping plants that are already established.
Does Bonide Kill Spider Mites?
Yes, Bonide kills spider mites. Botanical oils are the active ingredients in this all-purpose miticide/insecticide, which can kill and manage many different kinds of mites, thrips, and aphids. This spray is ready to use and has a pleasant smell. It can be used both inside and outside plants to kill spider mites.
Bonide is also safe to use in places where pets and kids play. The particles can be used for up to a month. Since 1926, people have trusted it to have the best products and solutions for pest problems in the home, lawn, and garden.
Homemade Spider Mites Killer And Its Applications
Following are the homemade natural Spider mite killers:
Neem Oil
Neem oil is made from the natural extract of the neem tree. It is a general pest repellent that will kill spider mites when applied. Many people use this after using insecticidal soap since it lasts longer and prevents future infestations.
This horticultural oil kills many other pests naturally, but it is safe for people, pets, and other animals. Neem oil makes spider mites suffocate, which kills them quickly. Pour one tablespoon of water into a bottle, shake it up, and spray the affected plants. Take care to prevent neem oil from staining your clothes or furniture.
Rosemary Oil
Rosemary oil is non-toxic to people and animals but can be toxic to spider mites. Spider mites died completely when rosemary oil was used safely for the host plant.
Just put a few drops of oil into a spray bottle full of water and use it to cover your plant in a thick layer. Since rosemary oil is safe for both people and animals, this method works well to eliminate pests on fruits, vegetables, and houseplants.
Peppermint Oil
Another good way to get rid of spider mites is peppermint oil. Many people like the smell of peppermint oil, but spider mites can’t tolerate it and find it very irritating. Put water in a spray bottle and add a few drops of peppermint oil. Mix well and spray plants lightly.
A second option is to put some peppermint oil on some cotton balls and then place them in the crevices where spider mites are most prevalent.
Lemon Oil
The findings of an in vitro application showed that lemon oil diluted at 10% with water was able to kill 100% of mites within 24 hours.
Mix two parts fresh lemon oil with three parts water to make a natural spray for spider mites. Prepare a spray solution and apply it to all of the plants that have been impacted. The use of this solution on your plants is completely risk-free, and it will assist in warding off the mites.
Fresh Garlic Spray
Garlic has been used for thousands of years because it is good for your health and has medicinal and antiparasitic properties. People say garlic can slow down and kill more than 60 types of bacteria and some potent viruses.
To keep spider mites away, mix about 5% pure garlic juice with water in a spray bottle. Use it as the only source of water to spray on plants with spider mites for 7 days. It’s important to keep using this mixture for a few days in a row.
Diatomaceous Earth
Diatomaceous earth is a natural pesticide that kills spider mites but is safe for people. DE kills mites by dehydration when sprinkled on the soil and the infected plant.
Depending on the type of mites and environmental factors, this can take a few hours to many days. According to National Geographic, it takes around a day and a half for mites that go through diatomaceous earth to die.
Predatory Mites
Adult predatory mites hunt down and kill pest mites, especially the common spider mites. Predatory mites are about the same size as mites that eat plants, but their legs are longer, and they move around often.
Spider mites usually eat the undersides of the leaves of plants and trees that are kept inside. There are also thrips, hoverflies, and minute pirate bugs that are common natural enemies.
It usually took two to three weeks for the population to reach the right level so that the predatory mites could start to work. During this time, the number of spider mites would often grow quickly.
Azera Gardening
Azera is a powerful organic pesticide that merges Pyrethrins and Azadirachtin. Pyrethrins are pesticides that are found naturally in certain chrysanthemum flowers.
They are a mix of six chemicals that are poisonous to pests. It has been shown that these ingredients can get rid of some plant pests, like spider mites. It’s also fine to apply Azera literally up to harvest time.
As soon as you see spider mites, it would help if you put Azera on them. Don’t wait until a lot of pests are on the plants. Foliar Applications use enough Azera spray volume and pressure to ensure that all plant surfaces, including the top and bottom of leaves, are completely covered.
SuffOil-X
SuffOil-X is a pesticide that kills insects, mites, and fungi by suffocating them with a special mix of oil that has already been emulsified and is very pure. SuffOil-X is a very effective way to get rid of many different insects, mites, and fungi, including spider mites.
It works by making spider mite eggs, larvae, nymphs, and adults suffocate. Use as needed, but at most once every seven days. Spray as soon as you see signs of mites.
Organocide
Organocide kills spider mites and prevents many widely known fungal diseases. Organocide garden Spray kills all stages of spider mites, including their eggs, larvae, nymphs, and adults.
Use organocide until harvest time without hurting bees, butterflies, or ladybirds. It Can be used on indoor and outdoor plants and trees.
Final Thoughts
Spider mites are as little as grains of sand and are nearly invisible. As their numbers grow, spider mites can spread to indoor and outdoor plants. Spider mites grab the bottoms of leaves and eat the chlorophyll in them. This takes nutrients from the whole plant.
Hydrogen peroxide is a good way to get rid of spider mites, but it should only be used in small amounts so that it doesn’t hurt the plants.
Insecticides often fail to kill spider mites. Spider mites can be killed by a few natural, homemade miticides, such as essential oils, rubbing alcohol, and other things listed above.
FAQs
References
Andrés CMC, Pérez de la Lastra JM, Juan CA, Plou FJ, Pérez-Lebeña E. Chemistry of Hydrogen Peroxide Formation and Elimination in Mammalian Cells, and Its Role in Various Pathologies. Stresses. 2022; 2(3):256-274.
Erik F.J. Weenink, Michiel H.S. Kraak, Corné van Teulingen, Senna Kuijt, Maria J. van Herk, Corrien A.M. Sigon, Tim Piel, Giovanni Sandrini, Mariël Leon-Grooters, Milo L. de Baat, Jef Huisman, Petra M. Visser, Sensitivity of phytoplankton, zooplankton and macroinvertebrates to hydrogen peroxide treatments of cyanobacterial blooms, Water Research, Volume 225, 2022, 119169, ISSN 0043-1354,