We Asked Gardeners If Neem Oil Works on Spider Mites—And We're Trying This ASAP

By

Heather Bien

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Heather Bien is an expert decor writer for The Spruce. She splits her time between Washington, D.C. and Locust Hill, VA, receiving her B.A. from the University of Virginia. Her bylines include Apartment Therapy, MyDomaine, HelloGiggles, StyleBlueprint, The Knot, MindBodyGreen, and The Everygirl.

Published on 07/17/25

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Key Points

  • Spider mites cause leaf damage and webbing, often hiding under leaves and feeding on plant nutrients, which weakens plants over time.
  • Neem oil kills mites at all life stages without harming pollinators or pets, especially when sprayed weekly on leaf undersides.
  • Other options like beneficial insects, insecticidal soap, strong water sprays, or oils like rosemary and peppermint also help manage infestations naturally.

If you've ever had a plant infested by spider mites, you know the damage these near-microscopic insects can do. They're as small as 1/50th of an inch, and they appear as if they're nothing more than tiny dots sprinkled across the plant leaves.

But, despite their diminutive size, these arachnids are quick to attack everything from houseplants to vegetables and herbs. If the leaves of a plant are fairly flat, it's fair game for a spider mite infestation.

Luckily, there are a few easy ways to curb a spider mite problem before they destroy your plants. Here's what works, as well as a definitive answer on whether one popular method, using neem oil, will kill spider mites.

Meet the Expert

Signs You Might Have Spider Mites

Because of their minuscule size, you may not immediately recognize that you have spider mites simply by looking for insects crawling around on your plants. However, there will be signs that indicate it might be time for a closer look.

Look for signs like fine webbing between leaves and stems, white or light yellow stippling on the leaves, yellow leaves, or dropping leaves. If you see any of these symptoms, inspect the underside of the leaves, where you'll likely see tiny dots, which are the spider mites themselves.

A spider mite's goal is to suck the nutrients from a plant, which then disrupts chlorophyll production. Initially, the damage will probably stay confined to small sections, which can be removed without harming the plant. But, if the infestation is allowed to spread, it could eventually damage too much of the plant to salvage.

Does Neem Oil Kill Spider Mites?

If you're looking for a natural pesticide that will destroy spider mites, neem oil is one of the best options to kill them quickly and effectively.

"I use neem oil when I don't want to use a hard, heavy chemical but still get some control," says Tammy Sons, founder and CEO of TN Nursery. "It's also nontoxic to pollinators."

This natural oil, which is extracted from neem trees, is used to suffocate mites, yet it won't harm any people or pets that come into contact with it. You can spray it at any point because it will effectively eradicate mites regardless of their life stage (their entire lifecycle is only about 30 days).

How to Use Neem Oil on Spider Mites

To use neem oil to kill spider mites, you'll need to make an easy homemade solution. Sons recommends mixing a tablespoon of neem oil, a few drops of mild dish soap, and warm water.

Put the solution in a spray bottle, shake it up, then saturate the infested leaves entirely, focusing on the underside, where spider mites often hang out.

"I do it first thing in the morning or last thing in the evening to avoid leaf burn and do it a couple times over the course of a couple weeks until things are under control," Sons says.

Continue to spray the neem oil weekly for maintenance.

Tip

Look at the weather forecast before you spray! If it rains in the 24 hours immediately following a spray, then you will need to spray again.

Other Ways to Kill Spider Mites

Neem oil isn't the only game in town to kill spider mites. There are several methods that will stop a spider mite infestation, but you will need to reply regularly to keep them from coming back.

Rely on Beneficial Insects

Ladybugs, lacewings, and even other mites will all prey on spider mites. You can even purchase ladybugs to introduce to your garden to eat other insects (plus, they look cute!).

"I rely on beneficial insects and birds for the majority of my pest control," says Rhonda Fleming Hayes, a gardening expert and author of Garden for Life.

Use an Insecticidal Soap

A simple, homemade insecticidal soap made with pure castile soap is enough to kill spider mites, yet it's non-toxic for both animals and humans. Mix it in a spray bottle and apply weekly.

Blast the Plants With Water

A good, old-fashioned spray of water can be enough to shake off spider mites.

"I'll use a strong blast of water to knock spider mites off, depending on the plant and the season," Sons says.

If you go this route, make sure to drench the plant completely, getting the undersides of the leaves, too. Repeat at least once a week to keep the spider mites from making your garden their home again.

Try Other Oils

Neem oil is just one of the oils that is known for eradicating spider mites. You can use the same method with oils like rosemary and peppermint, both of which will also suffocate the mites.