Spider Mite Control Info Page

Introduction To Spider Mite Predators

• Hydroponic Growers and Gardeners

• Select Spider Mite Control by plant types

• Select Spider  Mite Control by Spider mite pest type

• Select by Spider Mite Control Spider mite predator

• Buy Predator Mites Here

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

• purchase of the correct amount of predators needed

• proper mite pest identification 

• regular applications, biweekly or monthly

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
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. Buy Predator Mites Here

Galendromus occidentalis
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. Buy Predator Mites Here

Phytoseiulus persimilis
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. Buy Predator Mites Here

Phytoseiulus macropilis
P. macropilis is popular in warm humid climates such as Florida for control of spider mites on ornamental plants. Buy Predator Mites Here

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

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

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

(January 2008) I have decided not harvest ladybugs this winter so that I can focus on my nursery business. I will not be accepting ladybug orders until the middle of May.  I will not be doing any bio control orders until then. The best quality ladybugs that I know of are at A-1 Unique, call them at 916-961-7945

For mite help call Barbara at Benemite at 951 928 0215

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