Spider mites in Arkansas on weeds adjacent to commercial cotton fields were sampled weekly between 3 June and 29 July 1999 to determine which weed species supported early mite populations. The most important weed hosts were pitted morningglory, Ipomoea lacunosa, and palmer amaranth, Amaranthus palmeri. Mites appeared to move early in the season from these and other weeds to cotton. Control of these weeds on field borders in May and June should help to reduce mite infestations in cotton. Selected miticides were tested in a commercial cotton field for efficacy against a heavy mite population. Overall, Kelthane, Zephyr, and Comite provided the best control of mites.