my moms ivy and hibiscus both are infected by spider mites, and arent very healthy at all.

what is the best way to get rid of them and get the plants healthy again?

I have had good results with Safer's Soap...it is a spray pesticide that is actually safe to use!

thanks. we will look out for it.

if we cant find it, will just washing the leaves down with plain old soap and water work?

Safer's is available at most garden departments, but just in case, I'll e-mail my mom for more advice...she knows this sort of thing

we dont have any stores with garden departments here.

and tell your mom thanks a bunch!

we really dont want to lose the ivy.
it won best foliage in this years county fair.

Lynda, you know.. I've had pretty good luck with a spray bottle containing a bit of plain old dish lotion in water.... and spray the plant in the problem areas!

I've used this on my roses for a long time and it seems to get rid of the mites.

Check HERE and scroll down to the gardening section.

thanks tree.

ill pass that on to my mom.