Cousins to the ordinary spider, Spider Mites begin life as eggs and live for about a month. During that time, the number of eggs an adult female can lay depends on temperature. At 60 degrees, one female will produce about 20 eggs. Increase the temperature to 80 degrees and her production can reach 13 million eggs! At 80 degrees the eggs will hatch in about 5 days - at 60 degrees it takes 15 days. This explains why a plant that looked clean and healthy is suddenly covered with mites. And adult mites are always looking for other plants. They travel on pets, hands, clothes, and even air currents.

Controls

Although Spider Mites are common on houseplants, they're not as much of a nusaince with orchids. Where practical, give your plants a shower every couple of months with soapy water. Since cooler temperatures and higher humidity greatly inhibits mites, try to provide these conditions for susceptable plants.

Although persistent, spider mites are relatively easy to eradicate.

Isolate infested plant - mites are highly contagous.

Spray plant with Neem Oil. Be sure to get all stems, branches and underside of leaves.