Spider Mite predators
Feeding only on spider mites (and their eggs), spider mite predators also breed twice as fast, making them our most popular mite control. Actually carnivorous mites, each predator feeds on about 5 spider mites a day, or 20 of their eggs. Used as directed, predators should gain control within 4 weeks, and then continue until the spider mites are nearly or completely wiped out later. Predators disappear when the mites are gone.

Surprisingly, spider mite predators are this effective even through they're no larger than the spider mites, and sometimes smaller. Shaped a little more streamlined, they have longer legs which let them run faster, too. Attacking from the side, they suck the juices out of their spider mite prey.

For best results, start with at least 1 predator for every 25 spider mites. (1 to 15 for ornamentals, where appearance is important.) No, you don't have to count every mite! Count the mites on just a leaf or two, on perhaps every 10th plant, Average them out, estimate the garden population, and divide this by 25 for the number of predators to use. If this sounds too complicated, start with 2 predators per leaf, or perhaps 30-50 per plant. Using more predators gives faster control.

We have 3 kinds of predator mites, that can all be used together or separately. Their different temperature and humidity preferences are listed on the chart. They all like higher humidities (70-90%) ; you'11 note that tolerance for lower humidity varies. Cool temperatures in the low 50's tend to make them go dormant, but they'11 actually survive short periods down almost to freezing. Upper temperature limits vary according to species. They're all priced the same, and you can order any combination at no extra cost. If you don't specify, we'11 send a mix of all 3 kinds.