Spider Mites are tiny and you almost need a good hand lens to see them. There is no sticky residue. They spin very fine webs which catch their frass and dust and perhaps bits of dirt. They have a 5 day reproductive cycle and reproduce year round indoors. Check other plants in the area as they can float about on a good draft to new site.
Take the plant outside or to a bathtub and use Insecticidal soap, paying especial attention to the undersides and base. Wait 20 minutes and rise well. Repeat at 4 day intervals until all seem to be gone. Continue to monitor plant at weekly intervals for a while. To prevent dirt washing from the pot, tape the top closed around the stem. Duct tape works pretty well, or you can cut a piece of rigid plastic to fit around the stem and over the soil.
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