spider mite

Definition of spider mite

: any of various small web-spinning mites (family Tetranychidae) that include destructive pests of plants

— called also red spider

Examples of spider mite in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Now is the time spider mites, aphids and other garden nasties will devour your precious plants. — Los Angeles Times, "Why plant sales are soaring, even at nurseries closed due to coronavirus," 30 May 2020 Winslow rubbed dusty traces of spider mites from the tree leaves. — USA Today, "As coronavirus pandemic spikes orange juice sales, a Florida citrus grower gets squeezed," 13 May 2020 If spider mites really are attacking (little red dots inside a fine web), getting rid of them with any spray containing seaweed is easy and works well. — Howard Garrett, Dallas News, "How to manage mildew and other problems in your vegetable garden," 22 Apr. 2020 Keep spider mites at bay by spraying seaweed extract diluted at 2 tablespoons per gallon of water under the leaves each week. — Calvin Finch, ExpressNews.com, "Calvin Finch: It’s time to get your tomato garden planted in San Antonio," 19 Mar. 2020 Jacki Dougan, OSU Extension Master Gardener Lace bugs or spider mites? — oregonlive, "Need a care guide specific to shaded sod? Ask an expert," 20 Oct. 2019 Wash off the webs and spider mites with a sharp blast of water. — Nan Sterman, San Diego Union-Tribune, "September gardening: 22 things to do this month," 5 Sep. 2019 In the hot weather, tiny spider mites take up residence on dusty leaves. — Nan Sterman, San Diego Union-Tribune, "September gardening: 22 things to do this month," 5 Sep. 2019 Now would be a good time to check your plants and trees for spider mites. — Joan Morris, The Mercury News, "Gardening in the Bay Area: August to-do list," 22 Aug. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'spider mite.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Cite this Entry

“Spider mite.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spider%20mite. Accessed 19 Jan. 2021.

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