dpren3275

Spider mites can be so discouraging. My taro plants seem to be especially prone to them. To suffocate the mites, my nephew uses vegetable oil, like sunflower oil with great results. You have to be more vigilant with this and use no more than a 1% solution.
Since neem is not toxic to earthworms or bees I don't mind using it when necessary. Cold pressed neem oil contains all the natural ingredients including the active ingredient azadirachtin. The brand "Einstien Oil" is readily available in Canada and works very well. Neem oil relies on contact to kill, but it washes off. Thus after I spray plants, I use whatever I have left over as a soil drench. This allows neem to enter into the plant's tissue and become systemic for about a month. This gives me the best results. 60% humidity also discourages spider mites.
Plant sticks to control spider mites that are made by "Sholz" (not sure of the spelling) work super great. (That company also makes liquid fertilizer for indoor plants). They are not available in Canada but they are available in the US.
The one thing that has not been mentioned so far is the way spider mites travel from one area to another.When checking plants, leave the sick ones till last. Spider mites are easily carried into the area by dogs (I don't know about you, but there are some things I'm not willing to give up) and on our clothes. A change of clothes before entering the greenhouse is advised; some use light weight (like very cheap cotton) one piece cover-alls (wash with bleach). Using vinyl gloves and dipping in bleach before touching the next plant is also helpful. The other thing is spraying the entire room with bleach before taking any plants in doors.
I've not had much success using lady bugs to take care of spider mites, but next time I am going to try persimills.... another beneficial insect; read up about them at thebugfactory.com
Hopefully something here is useful to you. Good luck.