Spiders in your house may be easy to deal with, but once they get to your garden, they may cause extensive damage to your plants and even the soil.

As a gardener, it’s expected that you may run into challenges while gardening your plants; spiders are one problem that may cause a headache.

While spider mites aren’t dangerous to humans, the speed of their spread makes them really hard to deal with. And to eradicate them from your garden, you must handle the arachnids and their eggs. 

In this article, we’ll help you understand more about spider infestation, how to get rid of them, and how to prevent them from infesting your garden. 

Presence of Spider Eggs in Plant Soil

You may be in for a rude awakening once you notice spider eggs in plant soil. While adult spider mites may be easy to deal with, once the eggs hatch, you’ll have over 2,500 tiny mites. 

This may cause severe problems to the plants in your garden, and if not dealt with quickly, the condition could spread to the entire garden.

What Do Spider Eggs Look Like?

Spiders lay tiny, white, or bright-colored eggs that resemble a sphere. The eggs are enclosed in a silk sac, usually smaller than a quarter. 

Signs of Spider Eggs in Plant Soil

Determining whether you have spider eggs in your soil can be challenging since knowing what is happening below the soil is difficult. But there are a few signs you can watch out for to determine if your soil has been compromised.

Signs such as tiny brown or yellow spots on plant leaves, webbing, yellowing of the leaves, and stunted growth if the infestation is severe should all raise concerns.

Where Do Spider Mites Come From?

What’s even more annoying about these pests is that they can come from anywhere.

Spider mite infestation happens quickly. So, buying a plant with a few spiders or growing it in potting soil with spider eggs makes it easy to get a spider mite infestation. 

Once you buy a plant, sterilize the pot before repotting it. If you are growing your house plant outdoors, it may have a couple of spider mites by the time you bring it back indoors, which could also lead to infestation. 

One of the key problems with spider eggs is that they’re hardly visible to the naked eye, and you’ll only notice them once the population has drastically increased. 

Spider Eggs Life Cycle

Spider eggs hatch pretty fast, and this makes them easy to spread. Here is the life cycle of spiders.

Stage 1: Egg

Spider mites lay their eggs in the soil. One spider adult may lay about 100 eggs, and they’ll hatch after three weeks.

The fertilized eggs become female spider mites, and unfertilized eggs become male spider mites. On average, the ratio of unfertilized eggs to fertilized ones is 3 to 1.

Stage 2: Larvae

Once the eggs hatch, the larvae begin feeding as soon as they hatch. When the larvae are in your garden, they feed on the plant cells and sap on the plants. After they hatch, nymphs are initially colorless, and as they feed on the plant cells, they begin developing color, exhibited by two black spots. 

Stage 3: Protonymph 

At the larvae stage, the 6-legged larvae is inactive until it develops into an 8-legged protonymph. You’ll start noticing webbing at this stage. 

Stage 4: Deutonymph 

The fourth stage is the deutonymph. Once the protonymph has had enough food, it hibernates or takes a rest. Gradually, the protonymph changes to a deutonymph by going through the molting process. At this stage, the webbing process is also present.

Stage 5: Adult 

After the 4th stage, the deutonymph feeds, rests again and goes through molting to become an adult. The spider has completed the cycle, and the process can begin again. The only way to end the cycle is to act fast.

Spiders have a life cycle of about two weeks. In warmer areas, the life cycle may take as short as 7 to 10 days. Many people wonder if spiders die after laying eggs, but this is not the case; female spiders don’t die after reproduction.

How to Get Rid of Spider Eggs

There are several methods to eliminate spider eggs in your garden soil. You can try using neem oil, drying out the soil, horticultural oils, insecticidal soap, hydrogen peroxide, imidacloprid, or rubbing alcohol. 

Once you spot any signs of spider mite infestation, it’s imperative that you act immediately. The best way to stay ahead of the curve is to inspect your plants frequently. You may notice signs such as webbing on the plant or a change in your plant’s leaves, which may indicate the spider mites are about to lay eggs. 

When choosing a solution to get rid of your spider mites, you can opt for either chemical or natural solutions to handle the problem. You can also adjust the conditions of your home to minimize the chances of the eggs surviving.

Neem Oil 

This is one of gardeners’ oldest techniques to get rid of spider mites and other pests such as aphids, thrips, and fungus gnats in their plants. 

Pests feed on plant tissues and roots, so opting for organic methods such as neem oil effectively eliminates the pests without damaging the plant tissues. 

Wondering how neem oil works? The process is a bit torturous, but not to worry; this only affects the pests. Here is how it works. Neem oil contains a toxic component called Azadirachtin. This compound affects the minds of pests such as spider mites and impairs their eating ability and even that of multiplying. Conversely, eggs cannot move to the larvae stage, and they eventually die. By doing this, the neem oil destroys the entire colony of the pests. 

Some plant growers complain that neem oil is ineffective in dealing with spider mites. However, to achieve any results with neem oil, you must apply it correctly; otherwise, it won’t be effective, and the infestation will only spread. 

Apply neem oil to your plants before the infestation spreads for the best results. This oil will handle the existing pests and act as a preventative measure against future attacks. Apply neem oil to your plants twice a month. 

You should apply the oil either in the early morning or late evening hours. Applying it when the sun is hot and high temperatures could burn the plant.

Dry Out the Soil

This is another effective way to get rid of spider mites naturally. This method works by allowing the soil to dry out completely.

Spider mites thrive in wet soil, making it the perfect breeding place for them. By drying out the soil, you prevent the soil from hatching and causing an infestation.

However, it’s important to note that soil drying only works if the growing plants can tolerate dry soil. Plants that prefer wet or moisturized soils may be adversely affected by this method, and the same goes for plants that thrive in saturated soils. 

Soil drying can also disrupt or stop other pests’ lifecycles, such as springtails or millipedes. By destroying these creatures, you interfere with the food chain of spider mites since they feed on springtails and millipedes. 

Using Insecticidal Soaps or Horticultural Oils

Even though natural solutions are preferable to chemicals, sometimes chemical solutions are the best option to handle an infestation. In this case, you should opt for an insecticide specifically made for spider mites. 

These chemicals will be effective in clearing away the pest, and they won’t deal any damage to the soil or plant. Horticultural oils and insecticidal soaps are the most effective insecticides for spider mites.

Insecticides will work best in clearing adult spider mites, so reserve some for the eggs and the other stages before adulthood. 

Here is how to apply it: Mix one teaspoon of mild insecticidal soap with a liter of water and spray it over the leaves using a spray bottle. 

Hydrogen Peroxide

This bleach has several uses, and killing spider mites and spider mites eggs is one of them.

Hydrogen peroxides help deal with spider mites by changing the soil’s acidity, which in turn kills the spider mites. As the chemical fizzes, it also causes the eggs and larvae to die. 

While it may be tempting, especially when you have a severe infestation, never apply hydrogen peroxide directly to the soil. Always dilute it with some water. 

Add 3% hydrogen peroxide in a spray bottle, fill it with water, then spray it on the potting soil. 

To clear all the mites, you’ll have to repeat the process severally until you destroy all eggs and all spider mites are gone. Once this happens, you’ll notice improvements in your plants.

For the severely affected parts, use a sterilized tool to prune them away.

Rubbing Alcohol

Not just spider bites, rubbing alcohol can also ward off other pests like aphids and thrips. Having it around your home can quickly help solve an infestation in your house plants without needing other alternative methods. 

One of the things that makes rubbing alcohol an effective solution to pests is its ease of use. This method also has an excellent killing rate. Simply dip a paper towel or cotton bud in some rubbing alcohol and gently rub it on the plant’s leaves.

As for the soil, mix one part rubbing alcohol and three parts water in a spray table. Shake the mixture and spray it over the soil. It’s essential to use a balanced solution for this process. If the concentration of rubbing alcohol is too high, it may scorch the plants or cause extensive damage to the soil. On the other hand, it won’t be effective if it’s too low. 

Drunk spiders (actually dead!) stand no chance against your plants.

Imidacloprid 

This chemical compound has proved to be effective at eliminating spider eggs. 

There are many effective insecticides containing this element that you can use, including granular, crystallized, and liquid. The best option for handling spider mites is either crystallized or granular. When using these versions, you’ll need to apply the insecticide on the soil and then pour some water on the granules or crystals. This way, the water activates the imidacloprid compound in the poison. 

Alternatively, you can try a systemic pesticide containing imidacloprid. This combination gives you a double advantage; it’ll kill the spider mites in the soil and those on the plant leaves. 

While there are a lot of cons with spider mites, one pro is that they don’t linger on the plant for long, and if they do, imidacloprid will kill them. The compound will also end the infestation of your plant by other pests on it. 

Ensure you follow the instructions on how to use this compound. If you don’t, your plants may die. 

Insect Poison 

If all the above methods prove ineffective, you can always try insect poison to end the spider mites menace in your garden. You can use many insect poisons to kill spider mites and eggs. When applied to the egg sac or the web, the poison separates the materials and kills the insects. 

Add some poison in a 32 oz shower bottle and spray any spots where you see spider webs, egg sacs, and insects. A 32 oz bottle can cover about 200-300 square feet. Poison is highly effective; once the insect comes into contact with the mixture, it’ll instantly die. 

Bacillus Thuringiensis Israelensis 

If all the signs point to a spider mite infestation, you can try the Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis. This is a bacteria that you can find in the soil. 

As commonly known, the BTI bacteria solve the infestation problem by attacking the larvae rather than the eggs. This way, the larvae never reach adulthood, and you deal with the infestation in a few weeks. 

Always dilute the treatment with enough water to avoid damaging your plants’ roots. You should apply the solution to the soil.

DIY Versions 

Sometimes, it may be impossible to access or purchase pesticides and insecticides due to different reasons such as costs or inaccessibility. Fortunately, you can try some DIY methods to solve this problem.

One of the most practical DIY methods is using Castille soap. This soap contains compounds and fatty acids that dehydrate and choke the spiders, and they eventually die off. 

One good thing about DIY methods is they are straightforward. In this method, you only need to mix 1 tsp of liquid soap with some lukewarm water. Then, fill a spray bottle with the mixture and spray it all over your plant. 

Castile soap can be used for the entire plant. The application is similar to that of rubbing alcohol. Dip a sponge in the soap mixture and rub it until the whole plant is soaked. Repeat this process on the plant several times until you notice signs of improvement. 

Using Castille soap to deal with spider mites has two advantages:

• It can kill other pests, such as mealybugs, aphids, thrips, and whiteflies.
• It is safe for children, pets, and pollinators. 

Another DIY method you can try is using Rosemary Oil. Like in the Castille soap method, you’ll have to mix it with lukewarm water and spray it on the soil. You can also add some cider vinegar to increase its effectiveness. 

Natural pesticides are highly advantageous as they don’t contaminate your plant or soil. It also makes them practical to use indoors since there’s less risk of contaminating the food or the area.

Natural Predators 

Spider mites can also be controlled naturally using natural predators who feed on the pests and clear them off your plant. 

Here are some natural predators you can use to deal with spider mites:

• Lady bugs
• Predatory mites
• Lacewings 

You only need this method to prepare the right environment to attract the insects. Reduce pesticide usage and the amount of mulch flowers and flower beds, as these insects don’t like such environments. 

Alternatively, you can purchase predatory insect species in the market. Like DIY methods, using predators is safe for humans and pets.

How to Prevent Pest Infestation in Your Houseplants

As the saying goes, prevention is better than cure, which also applies to plants. An infested plant can be highly demotivating as you put so much effort and time into caring for it.

How to control spider mites, gnats, mealybugs, and fungi?

• Always clean your plants regularly and dust them.
• If your plant has only been attacked by a few spider mites and they haven’t reproduced yet, you can wash them away with a stream of water. 
• Keep the watering consistent and the soil moist.
• Ensure your plant has the correct humidity levels by using a humidifier. 
• If you own an outdoor garden, you can grow different plants to discourage the infestation of pests, such as chrysanthemums and chives. 
• To avoid issues, separate old plants from the new ones.

Wrapping Up

Spiders are not only scary bugs indoors, but they can also be destructive if they infest your garden.

Even though identifying whether they have infested your soil is difficult (unless you are using a magnifying glass), there are many methods you can use to get rid of these pests.

It’s important to spot them early to reduce the damage they’ll deal to your plants. You can opt for either organic or inorganic methods, such as chemicals, to eliminate spiders and spider eggs.

If you need help handling the situation, contact pest control, and your problem will be gone soon!

Bugs can be annoying, especially when they start invading your private space. But do you know what’s more annoying? Bugs that seem to spawn out of thin air like water bugs!

These critters will mostly appear in the summer, and if left uncontrolled, they can become a menace.

One of the most common questions for plant enthusiasts is, “why do water bugs appear in the summer?” and this is for a good reason.

In this article, we’ll explore why these tiny bugs like visiting during summer and discuss their natural habitat. The article will also explore common areas where the bugs are likely to hide in your home and how to know if it’s an infestation you are dealing with.

If these insects have wreaked havoc in your space, don’t worry. You’ve come to the perfect place to learn how to deal with them. 

Let’s get to it!

Why Do Water Bugs Come Out In The Summer

The main reason that water bugs come out in the summer is their natural habitat dries up due to the hot temperatures. Hence, they have to seek alternative sources of food.

Water Bugs are aquatic pests from the Hemiptera order that also contain other critters like scorpions.

So, why would these bugs invade our households?

The answer is simple: it’s a matter of humidity and moisture. Our houses have high humidity in the kitchen, bathrooms, and various water sources during the summer. This makes for a very attractive habitat for these bugs.

Areas with damp conditions, such as the basement, are a perfect place for water bugs to infiltrate.

You must be wondering what happens to the bugs during winter, but don’t let these bugs fool you. During the winter, they hibernate, and if the problem is not dealt with in the summer, they’ll resurface.

Compared to other pests, such as bed bugs, the only upside to water bugs is that they’ll not infest the home for the entire year. Houses aren’t the natural habitat for these bugs, and they are likely to inhabit other places once the summer is over.

While most bugs, such as roaches, are afraid of bright light, water bugs are actually attracted to it, making them even more menacing. You’ve likely seen these bugs under overhead lights.

Where Do Water Bugs Come From?

Even though houses aren’t a native habitat for these aquatic pests, they’ll do very well in damp areas. Damp outdoor areas are like vacation homes for these bugs!

Their native habitats are wet areas, mostly around marshes, ponds, sewage systems, and pools of standing water. 

As previously stated, water bugs are also attracted to neon and street lights.

As for food or causing destruction in a home, these bugs’ main delicacy is aquatic food such as small fish. Therefore, they’ll rarely be attracted to anything you have in your home. This is a good thing since they aren’t likely to survive permanently in the household.

Little creatures like insects are also a delicacy for these bugs.

Where To Find Them 

As we have previously stated, water bugs are attracted to aquatic sources in your home.

Here is a list of the common places that make for a perfect temporal habitat for these bugs.

• Kitchen: The kitchen is one of the high-humidity rooms in your home due to the variety of water and food sources; food leftovers may also attract other bugs, such as German cockroaches.
• Bathrooms: For obvious reasons
• Basements 
• These bugs can also thrive on your porch or garden.

What Are The Entry Points Of These Bugs Into Your House

Whenever you notice some bugs in your house, your first cause for concern should be to determine the entry point of the bugs.

Here is a list of the possible entry points for aquatic bugs:

• Toilets
• Drains
• Faucets 
• Baseboards
• Sewers
• Leaky pipes
• Crevices 

The most common place to find these bugs is on the drains since pests are likely to breed in such places. The presence of other pests and water will certainly attract these bugs.

Water bugs are so unpopular because they aren’t afraid of humans. Imagine using your sink, and a water bug suddenly appears. Shocking right?

These bugs will travel up or down the plumbing pipes to get to places such as the toilet. One of the main reasons that water bugs invade the toilet is infrequent flushing. The standing water in the toilet will attract the bugs. 

Once they invade the toilet, these bugs are likely to inhabit places with leaky faucets.

In places like basements, these aquatic bugs will invade due to the leaky drainage systems pipes near them. 

Baseboards, on the other hand, are where these bugs nest, so they may also be a common entry point.

The Signs Of Infestation

Pay close attention. The following are the signs of a water bug infestation.

• The presence of a small number of water bugs- While this may not be an immediate cause for concern, many other water bugs may lurk around, so don’t take it for granted.
• Unpleasant smell- During mating, these bugs will release an odor with a foul smell to attract mates. In cases of infestation, this odd smell will spread throughout the house. 
• Leftovers of shells and dead skin- This is one of the surest ways of detecting an infestation. In an infestation, there’ll be traces of shells on the floor of bathrooms or kitchen cabinets. These shells can also be found in breeding places once the eggs have hatched. 
• Dark-colored streak marks- Once they have invaded a place, water bugs will likely leave droppings on floors, shelves, near baseboards, and even on plates if food leftovers are left overnight. 

How To Get Rid Of Water Bugs

Already have water bugs in your house? Don’t worry! There are two easy ways to remove them from your household.

The first method is natural, and while it’s an easy solution, it may not always work.

Alternatively, you can use chemical-containing products to remove the bugs. This method is more efficient and will remove the bugs sooner.

So how do you get rid of water bugs? Here are some common natural substances that you can use:

• Soap
• Alcohol
• Baking soda
• Vinegar 
• Natural pesticides (Boric Acid is a good example of this)
• Essential Oils (Citronella or peppermint)

Using these natural solutions is easy. Simply pour them into the water bugs’ nest. 

Sprinkle a thin layer over the nest when using remedies such as boric acid. Since it’s toxic to aqua bugs, they’ll die when they ingest it.

Adding sugar to the boric acid will create an even more effective remedy. This mixture can be sprinkled in places with high moisture content or where the water bugs appear. The sugar and boric acid mixture acts as a trap for the bugs.

As for essential oils, the best way to apply this solution is by mixing them with water and spraying them over the nest.

Lastly, there is the diatomaceous earth method. This is a popular natural remedy that kills water bugs instantaneously. 

Pest Control 

A pest infestation can have grave consequences. If you are afraid of these bugs’ impact on your household, you should seek help from pest control companies.

Professional exterminators have all the tools and remedies to get rid of water bugs for good. Expert exterminators will find and stop common breeding places and entry points of these bugs. 

How To Prevent Water Bugs Infestation

An infestation of water bugs is a major cause for concern. Besides the foul smell that these bugs will emit during the mating period, they can also invade your personal space and make your home a living hell. 

Here are some tips to prevent these bugs from making your home unlivable.

• Clean your drains regularly. This includes toilets, bathtubs, and sink drains.
• Get rid of water puddles. Aqua bugs thrive in these puddles, and removing them will prevent them from spreading. 
• You can use several home products to treat drains, but vinegar is one of the most effective solutions, so make use of it. 
• Repair any leaky faucets in your home to prevent water puddles.
• If you notice any damaged pipes, replace them immediately.
• Crevices and holes are common places where these bugs lay and hatch their eggs, so if you notice any, seal them.
• Ensure your home is properly ventilated.

Are Water Bugs Dangerous?

Even though these bugs will not make you their next meal, they bite! They are known for biting between toes hence the name toe biters.

One of the common ways that water bugs attack is when you are swimming in your pool or even in your bathtub.

The bites don’t result in significantly larger health issues, but allergic people can react differently. Even though it’s very rare, there can be cases of swelling up or vomiting after a person has been bitten.

How to Treat the Bug Bites

Use a bandage to prevent itching, and try not to scratch the wound.

You can apply antibacterial ointment, hydrogen peroxide, or rubbing alcohol to clean the wound and stop potential infections.

Water Bugs vs. Cockroaches

This is one of the most common misconceptions. Even though the two are very similar in appearance, it’s important to note that they are completely different insects.

Water bugs indeed closely resemble cockroaches that survive in water, such as American or Oriental cockroaches.

However, there are significant differences regarding color, location, size, and how they bite. Cockroaches are sometimes referred to as brown water bugs, but this is far from the truth since the two aren’t similar.

In fact, cockroaches and water bugs belong to two different orders. While water bugs are from the Hemiptera order, cockroaches come from the Blattodea order, including insects such as termites.

Secondly, water bugs are darker in color, black or brown, while cockroaches are light brown or tan.

In terms of size, water bugs are slightly larger than roaches. Aqua bugs can grow up to 2 inches, while cockroaches will grow up to 1.5 inches. 

Another key difference is that roaches have antennas. In contrast, water bugs have pincers around the mouth hence the ability to bite.

Now for the interesting part. Which of the two attacks humans? Well, water bugs are the culprits here. Roaches don’t attack humans and will, in fact, flee if they sense danger from humans.

Water bugs, on the other hand, are more hard-headed; they tend to bite humans, and when they sense danger, they prefer to attack rather than flee. 

This makes cockroaches less dangerous than water bugs, but none of them are desirable, so get rid of them as soon as you see them. 

Commonly Asked Questions

Now that we’ve discussed all you need to know about water bugs let’s look at common concerns people have.

Can water bugs lay eggs on your skin?

Fortunately, no. Water bugs will not lay eggs on human skin since they prefer debris or floating vegetation where the conditions are ideal.

How do they know when to come out?

Like many insects, water bugs emerge once they sense food and temperature changes. The availability of a water source where they can survive will attract these bugs. They also prefer humid high temperatures, so they’ll come out in the summer.

Why are there so many water bugs?

Under ideal conditions, water bugs will mate and multiply quickly, increasing in number. So, it’s better to ensure there are no water sources where they can thrive.

How do water bugs survive cold winters?

These bugs survive the winter by finding a place with stable temperatures. Since they detest temperature fluctuations, they’ll either hibernate or find an alternative shelter.

Bottom Line

Don’t let water bugs ruin your summer. These bugs prefer the summer season and can be a nuisance to an otherwise exciting season.

Even though these bugs are annoying and probably scary, they don’t pose serious risks to humans (unless you are allergic).

Use the preventive measures we’ve discussed in this article, and if they do appear, use the several solutions we’ve provided to get rid of them. 

Goodbye for now, and don’t let the water bugs bite!