Areca Palm spider mites

Mites can hide among areca’s narrow leaflets. Look for pale speckles, bronzing, tiny crawling dots, and fine webbing, including on inner fronds that are easy to miss.

Reach both sides of every frond

Tap an affected frond over white paper and examine moving specks with a magnifier. Separate an infested palm and rinse through the foliage, shielding the pot so the root ball does not become flooded.

Repeat inspection and the treatment in the spider mite guide. A single wipe of outer fronds misses sheltered leaves. Keep green fronds even if marked, and judge control by fewer live mites rather than old scars disappearing.