Spider Mite Control Info Page

 

Introduction To Spider Mite Predators

 

       

We offer many species of predator mites for spider mite pests. There are currently many other companies offering to sell predator mites, a few important facts to know about the products they are selling. Low cost and successful spider mite control requires

1) "triple threat" mixes ? - buying a bottle of 250, 500 or 1,000 of 3 species mixed predator mites is nearly the same as mixing brake fluid, motor oil and transmission fluid and using that mix to lubricate you car or truck. The only threat being sold is to your prized garden. With spider mite pests the best results are achieved by releasing 500, 1,000 or more of the right predator, not 50, 100 or mixes of the new "hot thing."

There are only a few growers of predator mites, they ship in units of a 1,000 or more. To get a mix means emptying out the bottle and trying to get an accurate count of 100, 250 or 300  predator mites in just a minute or so and that are mixed into the bulk media, huh, yea, right.

Predator mites are most easily damaged by this process, this causes maximum stress and mortality. You can store an un opened bottle at the right temperatures for many days, but the moment you start separating and refilling and reshipping predator mites the ability of the predators to successfully hunt, feed and reproduce rapidly declines. 

2) There are many species of pest mites, but most gardeners face two particular enemies, Two Spotted Spider Mite and Red Spider Mite. In hydroponic gardens this almost always true.  When possible mail us the leaves of your plant and we will make the identification. Some people are sensitive about the gardens they grow, if so mail a small section of the leaf and write an identification code on the envelope. Call us a week later.

3) We price our spider mite predators quite low, they are priced for one time purchases, if you make regular releases you can expect a  discount on future purchases. You can stretch you dollar by using Green Lacewing.  With few exceptions most gardeners should concentrate on 3 primary types of Spider Mite Predators; Neoseiulus Californicus, Galendromus Occidentalis and Phytoseiulus persimilis. See the mite by plant pest index for your needs. 

Predator Mites

Neoseiulus californicus    Buy Predator Mites Here
N. Californicus is an excellent general predator for control of spider mites on roses and vegetable crops in greenhouses. This predator can also help suppress cycalmen mite in strawberry fields and broad mite in greenhouses. It tolerates higher temperatures and lower humidity than P. persimilis.

Galendromus occidentalis Buy Predator Mites Here
 G. Occidentalis is an excellent predator of spider mites on fruit trees, grapes and corn in the hot inland valleys of California. Tolerates high temperatures and low humidity.

Phytoseiulus persimilis  Buy Predator Mites Here
 P. persimilis is an excellent predator of spider-mites in humid greenhouses with moderate temperatures. It does best on dense low growing plants and is used extensively on field strawberries in California for control of spider mite.

Mesoseiulus longipes Buy Predator Mites Here
M. Longipes is frequently used to control spider mites in hot greenhouses on tall plants. It tolerates lower humidity than P. persimilis.

Neoseiulus fallacis Buy Predator Mites Here
N. fallacis predator is similar to N. Californicus but is more effective in northern climates on Mint, Hops and Strawberries.

Galendromus helveolus Buy Predator Mites Here
 G. Helveolus is a predator of the Persea mite, a serious pest on avocados in Southern California. It may also be useful in warm humid climates as a general predator.

AVOCADO TREES only go to Avocado Page

Galendromus annectens
G. Annectens is a predator of the Persea mite, a serious pest on avocados in Southern California. Buy Predator Mites Here

Galendromus helveolus
 G. Helveolus is a predator of the Persea mite, a serious pest on avocados in Southern California. It may also be useful in warm humid climates as a general predator. Buy Predator Mites Here