Predatory mite for two-spotted spider mite
This is the specialist: it eats only spider mites, eats more of them than any other predatory mite sold, and dies out or disperses once they are gone — so it is released when mites are found, not as prevention (Biobest allows very low preventive doses only where mites recur every year, as in berries). Put most of it on the infested plants and the plants around them. It needs humid air: Koppert and Biobest want relative humidity above 70%, UConn reports that eggs shrivel below 60% and K-State that egg survival drops there; Cornell alone puts the optimum lower, at 50–70%. UConn says it cannot keep up with spider mites above 30 °C (86 °F), and K-State that above 29 °C with humidity under 40% it retreats down the plant.
Before you order
Specialist for spider mite hot spots. It eats nothing else, so it goes in when mites are found, not before. How it works, how to tell it has established and the supplier list are on the full Phytoseiulus persimilis profile.
How many do I need?
Area and infestation level in; quantity, cost and a weekly schedule out. Open the calculator →
Pesticide sensitivity
Check anything applied in the last month before releasing. Check a product →
Other controls for two-spotted spider mite
- Neoseiulus californicusPredatory mite · 25–125 /m² per release, weekly, at least five times (Koppert); 5 /m² every two weeks as prevention and 100–200 /m² on hot spots (Biobest data sheet); indoors 1–4 per plant, every two weeks, 2–3 times (Arbico)
- Amblyseius andersoniPredatory mite · 20–100 /m² (Biobest); 50–250 /m² weekly (Koppert)
- Feltiella acarisugaPredatory midge · 0.25–25 /m² per release, at least 3 weekly releases (Koppert)
- Stethorus punctillumPredatory lady beetle · 100–200 adults per hot spot, or 1–4 per 10 sq ft, weekly for 3–4 weeks (Arbico; its low rate is every two weeks)