The spider mite is a destructive pest that attacks over 180 different ornamental plants and agricultural crops outdoors, in fruit orchards and greenhouses. Spider mites are about the size of the period at the end of this sentence and the damage they cause is more noticeable than the spider mites themselves.

The spider mite feeds by piercing a single plant cell at a time and sucking the sap. This will eventually leave a tiny brown or white sunken spot and may cause distorted leaf growth. This causes photosynthesis to decline and can hurt agricultural crop production. Some species produce fine webbing around the leaves they're feeding on and near the tops of the plants where humidity is lower.

When temperatures are high and humidity is low spider mites will feed more, causing increased damage. This also causes female mites to lay more eggs in a shorter period of time. Hot greenhouses and interiors with potted plants present favorable environments for spider mites. Field crops also experience spider mite problems such as strawberry and mint fields, grape vineyards, and apple, almond and avocado orchards.

Spider mite predators will consume about 5 to 10 adult spider mites or up to 20 eggs daily. They feed on spider mites and will reproduce faster. Getting an early start is a key aspect in spider mite eradication. Release 3 to 5 per square foot if starting early. Monitor infested plants with a hand magnifying glass and re-apply within 14 days if infestation is still present. Washing infested plants and using insecticidal soap while waiting for your Spider Mite Predators to arrive is very helpful. Simply misting plants is also beneficial, as spider mites prefer low humidity.

Check below for the species that best help your situation. Requires 2nd day shipping.

Phytoseiulus persimilis (pur sim ill us) Excellent in greenhouses with high humidity, moderate temperatures. Low growing plants, greenhouse crops, ornamentals & strawberry fields. Attacks 2 spider mites, Tetranychus urticae and mites in the Tetranychidae family. Predominantly female 4 to 1.

Mesoseiulus longipes (lon gi peas) Used in hot greenhouses on tall plants. Tolerates lower humidity than P. persimilis . Does not do well in outdoor locations. Predominantly female 4 to 1.

Neoseiulus californicus (cal if orn ah cus) Excellent for mite control on roses and vegetables in greenhouses. Also for cyclamen mites in strawberry fields. Tolerates higher temperatures and lower humidities than P. persimilis. Predominantly female 2 to 1.

Neoseiulus fallacis (fa lay see us) Similar to N. californicus but more effective in northern climate on mint hops, strawberries and fruit trees. Does best in moderate to cooler humid conditions but will tolerate warmer temperatures.

Galendromus occidentalis (ox ci dent tal us) Excellent for mite control on fruit trees, grapes and corn in California's hot inland valleys. Tolerates high temperatures and low humidity. Predominantly female 3 to 1.

Galendromus helveolus (hel ev o lus) Use as a general predator in warm humid climates. Good in the Southern California avocado groves attacking Six Spotted Mite, Avocado Brown Mite and the Persea Mite.

Amblyseius andersoni (an der so nee) This is a new predator on the market that shows promise in temperate climates attacking fruit tree Red Spider Mites Panonychus ulmi on apple and pear trees. Also feeds on Bud Mites and Rust Mites.

Galendromus pyri (pie ree) Feeds on many spider mites including European Red Mite. Does well in apple orchards in the northeast. More likely to overwinter as mated females that emerge in the Spring.