Amblyseius cucumeris Bottled Mites - Fast-Coverage Thrips & Mite Control
TARGET PESTS
What Bottled Cucumeris Goes After
Thrips Larvae
Young thrips larvae, the stage that feeds on leaf undersides and new growth, including western flower thrips, eastern flower thrips, onion thrips, greenhouse thrips and melon thrips.
Small Plant-Feeding Mites
Broad mites, cyclamen mites, tomato russet mites and some other plant-feeding mites.
A. cucumeris may also feed on spider mites, but it isn't a spider mite control. For an established spider mite infestation, use Phytoseiulus persimilis or Neoseiulus californicus.
Heavy Thrips Pressure?
Bottled cucumeris eats young larvae, not large larvae or adults, so pair it:
- Orius insidiosus (Minute Pirate Bug) takes on adult thrips.
- Sf beneficial nematodes reach the stages that drop into the soil.
- Above 80°F, switch to or add A. swirskii.
PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
What's in the Bottle
Each bottle holds predatory mites mixed into a light carrier that helps them spread evenly as you shake it over your plants. Choose 25,000 or 50,000 mites per bottle, or 250,000 per bag for large greenhouses and growing operations.
How Cucumeris Works
A. cucumeris is a generalist predatory mite. It hunts the first larval stage of thrips and small mites, and it can live on pollen when prey runs low. Females lay eggs on the fine hairs along leaf veins on the undersides of leaves, right where thrips larvae feed. At 66–80°F, eggs hatch in a few days and young mites reach adulthood in about 10 days. Adults live 4–5 weeks, so new mites keep hatching while the first ones are still hunting.
When to Reach for the Bottle
- Thrips larvae are already on your plants and you want predators everywhere at once.
- You need to cover a lot of plants or a large greenhouse quickly.
- Temperatures are cool, 54–80°F, when many other predators slow down.
For steady protection between bottle releases, hang cucumeris sachets.
Cucumeris or Swirskii?
Pick by temperature. A. cucumeris covers the cooler end, 54–80°F. A. swirskii works from 68°F into the mid-90s and also eats whitefly eggs and young nymphs. As your space warms up, move from cucumeris to swirskii.
Safe, Sustainable Pest Management
- No synthetic pesticides
- Safe around people and pets when used as directed
- Safe for use on edible crops when used as directed
- Fits easily into an existing IPM program
INTRODUCTION RATES
Bottled Release Rates
General starting points. Adjust for the pest, the plant and how bad the infestation is, and check pests and predators regularly.
- Light infestation: 5–10 mites per sq. ft., every 1–2 weeks
- Heavy infestation: 10–15 mites per sq. ft., every 1–2 weeks
For a heavy infestation, don't just raise the cucumeris rate. Combine it with other compatible controls and bring the pest population down with an IPM approach.
How Far a Bottle Goes
| Size | Light (5–10/sq. ft.) | Heavy (10–15/sq. ft.) |
|---|---|---|
| 25,000 | 2,500–5,000 sq. ft. | about 1,700–2,500 sq. ft. |
| 50,000 | 5,000–10,000 sq. ft. | about 3,300–5,000 sq. ft. |
| 250,000 | 25,000–50,000 sq. ft. | about 16,700–25,000 sq. ft. |
Temperature & Humidity
Effective range: 54–80°F (best 66–80°F). Humidity: 65–72%. Cucumeris eggs dry out in low humidity, so mist lightly before release and avoid releasing into very dry air.
APPLICATION
How to Release Bottled Cucumeris
- Release in the early morning, in the evening, or when grow lights are off.
- Knock down any webbing on infested leaves.
- Lightly mist the leaves.
- Gently turn the bottle to mix the mites through the carrier.
- Sprinkle the contents onto the infested plants, or pour them into hanging release boxes to keep predators where you need them.
- Leave the open bottle near the plants for 72 hours so the last mites can walk out.
- Repeat every 1–2 weeks until the infestation is under control.
Pro Tips
Hanging Release Boxes
Pour bottled mites into hanging release boxes to keep them right where the pests are, with no mess, and to keep the carrier dry.
Good Bug Supplemental Diet
When pest numbers are low, hang Good Bug Supplemental Diet tabs near your release so predators still have food and stay on your plants. Contains shellfish (Artemia).
Chemical Compatibility
Sprayed recently? Some pesticides harm predatory mites for days or weeks after they dry. Check which chemicals are safe for predatory mites and how long to wait before you release.
STORAGE
Release bottled cucumeris as soon as your order arrives. If you have to wait, hold the bottle for no more than 8 hours at 55–65°F, out of direct sunlight. Don't put it in the refrigerator.
FAQs
Should I buy bottles or sachets?
Bottles put a large number of predators on your plants at once, so they suit an infestation that's already started. Sachets release mites slowly over 2–4 weeks and suit prevention. Many growers use both.
I can't see any mites in the bottle. Is that normal?
Yes. Cucumeris are tiny and pale, and they hide in the carrier. Tip a little onto white paper in a warm room and watch with a magnifier.
What are the other tiny mites in the bottle?
Those are feeder mites. They're harmless and don't eat plants. They come packed in the carrier with the cucumeris as an instant food source, so young predatory mites have something to eat while they develop.
Will bottled cucumeris clear a heavy thrips infestation on its own?
Usually not. It eats young larvae, not adults or large larvae. Pair it with Orius insidiosus and Sf beneficial nematodes, and bring numbers down with an IPM approach.
I sprayed recently. How long do I wait before releasing?
It depends on the product. Neem oil and insecticidal soap kill predatory mites on contact, and some pesticides stay harmful for days or weeks after they dry. Look up what you used in which chemicals are safe for predatory mites, then wait the recommended interval before you release.
Is bottled cucumeris safe for people, pets and plants?
When used as directed, yes. Cucumeris isn't known to bite people or pets, and it doesn't feed on plants. It eats small pests and pollen, and its numbers fall once food runs out.
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