Spider mites: There are unknown millions of mite species, many similar to thrips. In the garden the two-spotted mite is commonly called red spider mite because in the cold weather it changes from pale green with two red spots to orange/red, looking like a miniature red spider.
Like thrips, spider mites suck the chlorophyll from the leaves of plants. Spider mites leave white translucent spots of damage and no dark droppings. In heavier infestations a silky web is obvious, which is secreted by the mites to protect themselves from enemies and poisons. These webs can cover a whole plant.
Natural predatory mites are the best control, so having compost and mulch to encourage beneficial mites will keep the right balance. Spiders, parasitic wasps, lady bugs and lacewings also feed on red spider mites.
Use a soap spray to eradicate these critters. Spray plants weekly until mites are gone, then monthly to stop them from returning. Also see other sprays under Caterpillars.
---Thrips: There is no singular word for thrips such as a thrip. And look at one of their names Heliothrips haemorrhoidalis! So these horribly named beasties come by the gangload.
Microscopic greenhouse thrips rasp away on the surface cells of leaves and suck out their chlorophyll contents. The hollowed, air-filled cells then take on a silvery, tissue paper look. This later turns brownish and crinkly and there are dark spots of thrips droppings seen.
Some thrips also spread viruses, such as the tomato spotted wilt virus. Not nice. Garlic fire spray trips thrips up and there are a number of predatory bugs native to different countries. Lacewing larvae are a good biological control also. See Beneficial Garden insects and creatures.
here is the site to find home remedies for all kinds of things;
www.no-dig-vegetablegarden.com 
Identifying Spider Mites
To the unaided eye, spider mites are nearly invisible, appearing as red, brown, or greenish dots as small as the period at the end of this sentence. As spider mites proliferate, the organic gardener can observe their damage, which occurs as brown or grayish leaves, which may appear speckled or drop off entirely.
Be suspicious of ailing plants with webbing, as sometimes unsuspecting gardeners mistake spider mite webbing for beneficial spider webs. If your spider mite problem has progressed to the point where you can see webbing encasing your plants leaves, the infestation is severe.
Beneficial Insects
Several natural predators control spider mite populations, including ladybugs, pirate bugs, predatory thrips, and predatory mites. You can purchase ladybugs or predatory mites from the Phytoseiidae family to release in your garden if your beneficial predator population is low. If you have a hose-end attachment with a misting feature, use this in conjunction with the beneficial insect release to encourage your predators to remain in your garden.
Organic Dusts and Sprays
Spider mites are a member of the arachnid, or spider family, and as such require special sprays that target this family of pests. A common problem among gardeners using conventional pesticides is the use of chemical sprays that kill the beneficial predators of mites, but leave the pests untouched.
here is where i got the above;
http://organicgardens.suite101.com/article.cfm/kill_spider_mites_in_the_garden#ixzz050PTunPU&D
hope thiese help, if ya need more let me know |
