Neoseiulus Californicus Predatory Mite

Description

Neoseiulus Californicus Predatory Mite are available in packs of 5000 & 25 000. Please note the ordering process below before placing your order. Email or call us for more info and the right advice.

The name says it all as these mites were first noticed on Californian lemons in the 1950’s. Also found in Florida, South America, parts of Europe, Japan and even South Africa. Pear shaped, Californicus is under 1mm in length and vary in color ranging from translucent, white, peach, pink and tan.

Target Pests

Two Spotted Spider Mites, Broad Mites and Thrips are all on the menu for Neoseiulus Californicus Predatory Mite. They will consume up to 5 pest mites per day. Their special skill is to survive well on pollen or thrips if available until their main prey becomes abundant again.

Preferred Climate

Neoseiulus Californicus Predatory Mite are able to withstand lower levels of humidity if temps aren’t too high. Likewise they can survive slightly higher temps with higher levels of moisture in the air. They prefer temps between 16-30°C and a relative humidity of 60% or higher.

When given the chance, Californicus will drink, and drink, and drink until they can’t anymore, aiding them to survive in conditions that are hot and dry. All you need to do is to provide water for them through either foliar spray or normal watering of the growing medium. This allows them to survive in an environment usually not suitable for predatory mites. In general Californicus is a good option for slightly harsher conditions.

Ordering Process

Predatory Mites are imported once a week and arrive on a Monday. Orders must be placed and paid for by Wednesday afternoon 4pm to ensure mites for that coming Monday. Should you place your order on a Thursday, mites will only arrive the Monday after next.

Shipping/Collection

Once received, we ship mites out on a Tuesday morning for same day shipping to customers within Gauteng, major centers in other provinces will receive overnight shipping. When regional, orders can take up to 3-4 days while some towns only receive deliveries once a week. Get in touch with us to make sure you get your mites when you want them, we’ll be happy to help with info and schedules.

Using Neoseiulus Californicus Predatory Mites

Release mites in the early morning or late afternoon when temps are lower. Hot spot areas where pest presence is higher should be targeted first.

Lay the container flat and gently roll to evenly distribute mites inside.

Sprinkle mite containing medium over the affected canopy or at the base of each stem for flowering cannabis to avoid getting vermiculite in the flowers. Bug Boxes can also be used to aid release.

One thing to understand is that they are live animals, placed in a habitat that may change from what they need to survive. Numbers will drop fast If conditions are not within range. Release mites regularly to sustain numbers over a period of time and increase efficacy.

Most mites will also happily consume the eggs of another predatory mite species. All they see are eggs from a species that isn’t their own.

Note that insecticides and pesticides will kill predatory mites. Not compatible with Bio-Insek, Bioneem, Vegol, Pyrol and Neudosan. Contact us for more information on compatible products.