Spider mites are a common pest in Northwest Ohio and Southeast Michigan, there are multiple species, though they are managed in the same fashion and produce a distinguished silken thread much like that of a spider (though they do not create orderly web building skills like the orb spider). They are related to the spider family and are quite tiny, often times being overlooked by the naked eye.

At first, the damage from spider mites look like lines of yellow dots on the leaf of the plant (this is because the spider mite feeds on the plants cell killing out portions of the leaf). During heavy infestations, whole leaves may be stripped and killed. If they spider mite population is minimal, treatment may not be needed.

Trees and shrubs Attacked: Arborvitae, Azalea, Black Locust, Dogwood, Douglas-fir, Elms, Fruit trees, Juniper, Hawthorn, Hemlock, Honeysuckle, Hydrangea, Linden, Magnolia, Maple, Persimmon, Pine, Poplar, Redbud, Rose, Spruce, Tuliptree, Walnut
Damage to look for : Discoloration of leaf Dry, brittle texture to the leaf