Re: How do I tell if I have spider Mits????
Ugh, spider mites. Look under the leaves with a magnifier. The most common is the two-spot, has two redish spots on it. The eggs are laid on the underside of leaves, tiny and white. The babies are pure white when they hatch. The tops of the leaves will show tiny white dots, these are the feeding site of the mites underneath.
When using compost from outside, sift it over a screen, then cook it in a microwave til it steams, or in the oven.
If you're frequently in and out of the house, be sure there's no cyclamen near your entrances. They are tremendous mite hosts, and as much as I love all living things, cycLamen remain on my "hit list". They aren't allowed to live on my farm.