Karla, Diatomaceous earth is best used on creeping/crawling insects–not on the foliage of the plant–which is where spider mites like to live. The best thing to do for mites is to remember they like it dry. If I find the beginnings of a problem, I simply take my hose and “wash” off the foliage. That usually takes care of the problem. On the rare occasions it doesn’t, then Captain Jack’s Dead Bug Brew or Neem oil will take care of it just fine.