AusBonsai

Hi everyone.

I haven't been able to look after my bonsai or check on them due to health issues. A family member has been looking after them.

Today she tells me they look sick.
Turns out they all (bar 3) have a really bad spider mite infestation.
Both my Japanese maple's leaves are all dead and crunchy (one has a cpl of infested but mostly green leaves still).
The Chinese elm is the same. Most of it's leaves have fallen off.
These are the worst affected.

Autumn has come a month early here, but none of my bonsai leaves had changed colour yet, they're always later than trees in the neighbourhood.
We had strong hot winds a couple of days ago.

My question is, after treatment, what is the likelihood they'll live?
I'm not able to baby them, they'll get sprayed and hope for the best.

Any thoughts or advice would be much appreciated.

Thanks.

Most trees are more resilient than we give credit for. Chances are your trees will be fine after getting rid of the problem.
It is late enough in the season that some or all of the deciduous might decide to stay dormant rather than leaf out again at this time of year. Unfortunately that will leave you wondering until Spring but definitely maintain care until late Spring before pronouncing any deaths.

I assume you know that most insecticides are not effective on mites. Make sure you use something registered for mites to get rid of your pests.

Thanks so much Shibui.
That sounds more promising than I thought then.
Will have to keep my fingers crossed till Spring.
Yes I have found Yates Rose Gun to be extremely effective but not very harsh in the past.
Thanks for replying so quickly. They look like a war zone at the moment so I was a bit upset seeing them look like that.