Under normal circumstances, this predatory mite population will outgrow any spider mite population. Adult females lay up to 60 eggs in their lifetime. Phytoseiulus persimilis are only known to eat spider mites, so they are great for a quick knockdown of that pest. The condition for optimum performance is between 70–85°F with a relative humidity of between 60–90%. Significantly cooler or warmer temperatures will hamper reproduction and development to a certain degree.

Do not store the mites for more than 8 hours. Store the container on its side at moderate humidity between 55-65ºF until ready to release.

To release, gently rotate/tumble the bottle or vial to distribute the mites evenly within the carrier to get the evenest distribution possible in the crop. Next, open the bottle or vial in the crop area and gently tap them out onto the foliage of the plants. Concentrate their bulk at release points on or near the most heavily infested plants.

The vial product will come with a nipple cap that can be used to dose the mites over the crop area slowly. Cut the tip to size needed; a small opening will release slower than a larger opening. The instinct for persimilis is to run straight up, so keep the vial vertical, and they will naturally run out of the opening while you dab them onto the foliage.

Leave the bottle or vial in the treatment area 24 hours after release to ensure all mites have exited.

They can sometimes be found in the foliage with diligent scouting. Un-infested and undamaged new growth is a sign that persimilis is working.

Be sure of your pest species. Phytoseiulus persimilis are not as flexible as some other predators for spider mite control since they can only feed on certain Tetranychus species.

Live-Product: Beneficial Insectary strives to guarantee the live delivery of the freshest organisms to our customers. We offer replacements or credits for any compromised shipments to our customers that report any issues or concerns within 24 hours. These issues or concerns must be relayed before releasing any organisms that are suspected of having viability issues. Please do not discard the product. You may be requested to return the shipment for further analysis.

Establishment of BCAs in Crop Settings: Many variables can negatively or positively impact BCA and pest populations in various crops we work with (pesticide applications, watering practices, improper storage methods, cultural/physical/mechanical controls, etc.). Some beneficial organisms require a steady pest presence as a food source to build their population. Others may require alternate food sources, such as pollen or nectar as an example. While other BCAs have specific photoperiod requirements for success. Due to these variables, we cannot guarantee the long- or short-term establishment of the BCAs we sell after the release of the organism(s). We will not offer refunds, discounts, or other credits on products that have already been released. Please adhere to our “Live-Product” disclosure.