RED SPIDER

What is it? Now, if you've got a red spider, you've got a problem. They are very small, reddish mites that live on the underside of leaves. By sucking on the the sap of the leaves they seriously damage, and can kill the plant. You will see the leaves turn sickly and yellow, and you may see small webs on the underside.

Advice: Spray with a systemic fungicide. You may need to do this a few times at fortnightly intervals. If there are only a few leaves affected, pick them off and burn them. Give the plant a lot of care - feed, water and mulch. Red Spider love hot dry weather so a fine spray of water in the evening restricts their spread.