How to Get Rid of Cyclamen Mites from Houseplants: Cyclamen Mites Treatment Indoors


Houseplants Pests, Cyclamen Mites

Cyclamen Mites Identification

Cyclamen Mites are minute mites, which look like a film of dust on the underside of leaves. These pests will flourish in cool, humid conditions coupled with poor air circulation.

Infested houseplants are stunted, have curled leaf edges, twisted stems and withered flower buds. Cyclamen Mites are especially common in Cyclamens, Pelargoniums and African Violets (Saintpaulia).

How to Treat Cyclamen Mites on Houseplants

  1. Remove and destroy the infested plant parts to prevent further spread.

  2. Take the infested plant outside or to a sink and wash the Cyclamen Mites off with a high pressure stream of water. If the plant has delicate foliage, turn it upside down and dip the foliage in a bucket of water to wash off the pests. Repeat as many times as is necessary.

  3. Spray the affected plant with a solution of 4 parts water to 1 part rubbing alcohol. Ensure to thoroughly cover all the affected parts with the solution. Repeat every 7 days as necessary.

  4. You can also treat the infested plant with an insecticidal soap or a neem oil both of which are safe to use indoors. Make sure to follow the instructions indicated on the label.

  5. Spray the heavily affected plant with a broad-spectrum miticide as per the manufacturer's recommendations.

  6. Clean the spaces and surfaces where the infested plant was placed with a 10% bleach solution.

How to Prevent Cyclamen Mites from Indoor Plants

Cyclamen Mites are difficult to control therefore suppression is the best option of dealing with them.

  1. Keep your plants healthy at all times by providing the right growing conditions. Healthy plants are less likely to be infested by pests.

  2. Get your plants from trustworthy sources to avoid introducing these pests to your plant collection.

  3. Inspect new plants before bringing them indoors and treat any infested plants until when they are free of these pests.

  4. With a magnifying hand lens, frequently inspect the buds, leaf axils and leaf folds for Cyclamen Mites and carry out timely control measures.

  5. Maintain your plants properly pruned to get rid of the breeding and hiding grounds for these pests.

  6. Keep the growing area clean by removing fallen leaves and any plant debris as they can harbor the Cyclamen Mites and/or their eggs.

  7. Regularly, clean the leaves with neem oil to discourage these pests.

  8. Improve air circulation and lower humidity; Cyclamen mites thrive in cool, humid conditions coupled with poor air flow.

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