Q/A #33 - Spider Mites on Heliamphora

QUESTION:
I have a Heliamphora and Cephalotus which I purchased from you last summer at the open house, they seem to have developed what I believe is a spider mite problem. I recently noticed little red specks on the leaves/traps popping up. I assume these are spider mites, but I was unsuccessful at taking a close-up picture of them. 

The plants are kept as houseplants under artificial lighting in my living room. Lights are LED with 24,000 lumens/sqft, photoperiod is currently 11 hours, temperatures range from 64F - 74F, RH 40 - 50%. They are otherwise very healthy with lots of growth. 

The few questions I have are:
1) Do these red specks sound like spider mites?
2) If so, could you please recommend a pesticide product that will not harm Heliamphora and Cephalotus?
3) Lastly, these plants are kept right next to Pinguicula and Drosera, are spider mites known to attack Pringuicula and Drosera?
(Submitted in February 2020.)

Heliamphora

Cephalotus

RESPONSE BY JEFF DALLAS:
The mites that affect Heliamphora are very small, and they don't always produce webs. The appearance of your Heliamphora is a classic sign of mite infestation, though. The older leaves develop a brown mottled appearance in the upper parts. Your description of them (little red specks) also seem like they are mites.

A good all-around product to try is a Neem product. There are many out in garden centers. The big thing is to follow the manufacturer's directions. It won't hurt your plants. That's what we use in our tropical greenhouse. You will need to do several applications 2-3 days apart to make sure to kill off any hatchlings.

Spider mites are very uncommon on Drosera and Pinguicula because of their sticky nature. Nepenthes can get them however. Let me know how the Neem worked for you.

RESPONSE BY OP (two weeks later):
It worked! After two applications of neem, the spider mites are much reduced, and the plants did not mind it. I also have not seen them on any pings or drosera, as you suggested. I will continue with the applications for another couple of weeks.

• The original question and response have been edited for publication.
• With a database of thousands of questions, we will post a Q&A every few days or so.
• To search for similar posts, click on a hashtag below or use the site's search function.
• To submit a carnivorous plant question, visit Ask the Growers.