Amblyseius andersoni Bottled Mites - Fast-Coverage Spider & Russet Mite Control
TARGET PESTS
What Bottled Andersoni Goes After
Spider mites
Two-spotted spider mites, carmine mites, Lewis mites and Banks grass mites, plus European red mites and citrus red mites.
Russet and broad mites
Russet and rust mites, including tomato russet mites and hemp russet mites, plus broad mites and cyclamen mites.
A. andersoni also eats some young thrips larvae, but it isn't a thrips control. For thrips, use A. cucumeris or A. swirskii.
Heavy spider mite pressure?
Bottled andersoni works best on small colonies, so pair it:
- Phytoseiulus persimilis for webbing-heavy hot spots.
- Neoseiulus californicus for steady pressure in heat or drier air.
- Stethorus punctillum, a predatory beetle with a big appetite for spider mites.
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 4,000, 10,000 or 25,000 mites per bottle, or 125,000 per bag.
How Andersoni Works
A. andersoni is a generalist predatory mite. Larvae, nymphs and adults all hunt, feeding on spider mite eggs, young mites and adults, and it can live on pollen when prey runs low. Eggs hatch in 2–3 days, and young mites reach adulthood in about 8–12 days in summer conditions. Adults live about 3 weeks.
When to Reach for the Bottle
- Spider mites, russet mites or broad mites are just starting and you want predators everywhere at once.
- You need to cover a lot of plants or a large greenhouse quickly.
- Temperatures swing between cool and hot, when many other predators slow down.
For steady protection between bottle releases, hang andersoni sachets.
Where It Works
Strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, grapes, fruit trees, citrus, tomatoes and other vegetables, hemp and ornamentals, in greenhouses, grow rooms, gardens, orchards and fields. It moves easily on hairy-leaved plants such as tomatoes.
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: 2–5 mites per sq. ft., every 1–2 weeks
- Heavy infestation: 5–7 mites per sq. ft., every 1–2 weeks
For a heavy infestation, don't just raise the andersoni rate. Combine it with a spider mite specialist and bring the pest population down with an IPM approach.
How Far a Bottle Goes
| Size | Light (2–5 per sq. ft.) | Heavy (5–7 per sq. ft.) |
|---|---|---|
| 4,000 | 800–2,000 sq. ft. | about 570–800 sq. ft. |
| 10,000 | 2,000–5,000 sq. ft. | about 1,400–2,000 sq. ft. |
| 25,000 | 5,000–12,500 sq. ft. | about 3,600–5,000 sq. ft. |
| 125,000 | 25,000–62,500 sq. ft. | about 17,900–25,000 sq. ft. |
Temperature & Humidity Range
Effective range: 47–104°F
Humidity: 60–90%
APPLICATION
How to Release Bottled Andersoni
- 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.
- Lay the bottle on its side and gently roll it 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
- Supplemental diet: when pest numbers are low, hang Good Bug Supplemental Diet tabs nearby so predators stay on your plants. Contains shellfish (Artemia).
- Chemical compatibility: sprayed recently? Check which chemicals are safe for predatory mites and how long to wait before releasing.
STORAGE
Release bottled andersoni as soon as your order arrives. If you have to wait, hold the bottle on its side 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 mites that have 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. Andersoni 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.
Will bottled andersoni clear a heavy spider mite infestation on its own?
Usually not. It's strongest on small colonies. Pair it with Phytoseiulus persimilis or Neoseiulus californicus and bring numbers down with an IPM approach.
Can I release it in fall or winter?
As days shorten in early fall, A. andersoni can go dormant and stop hunting until temperatures and day length improve. For fall releases, a warm, well-lit greenhouse or grow room is the best fit.
Is bottled andersoni safe for people, pets and plants?
When used as directed, yes. Andersoni 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.
DISCLAIMER / SHIPPING POLICY
STORE POLICIES
Thank you for shopping with us! Before placing your order, please review our Shipping Policy and Refund and Return Policy. By completing your purchase, you agree to these terms.
We do not provide recommendations on pesticide use. Products are sold for home use only, not commercial use.
QUALITY GUARANTEE
If your beneficial insects or other perishable products are not viable when delivered, email info@naturesgoodguys.com within 48 hours of delivery with your order number and a description of the problem. Photos may be requested. Approved replacements ship on Wednesdays and Thursdays.
- Open your package right away and check for storage instructions. Some products need refrigeration, and improper storage voids the guarantee.
- Ice packs help moderate temperature in transit and are not expected to arrive frozen.
- Some insects need time at room temperature before they become active, and many are hard to see without magnification.
SHIPPING
- Processing: 1 to 3 business days. Orders placed by 12:00 pm Pacific may process the same day, but this is not guaranteed.
- Overnight: ships Monday to Thursday, and Friday for addresses with Saturday delivery, excluding holidays.
- Second Day: ships Monday to Wednesday, and Thursday for addresses with Saturday delivery.
- USPS: ships Monday to Friday.
- We do not ship to PO boxes.
Some products are harvested on set days, and we may hold shipments during extreme weather to protect product quality. We will contact you if your order is delayed significantly.
CHANGES AND CANCELLATIONS
Please contact us within 30 minutes of placing your order to change or cancel it.
RETURNS AND REPLACEMENTS
Beneficial insects and other perishable products cannot be returned; they are covered by the Quality Guarantee above. Unopened garden supplies and tools can be returned within 30 days. Full details are in our Refund and Return Policy.
Replacements are not available for an incorrect shipping address, storage or use instructions not followed, or packages left uncollected after delivery.