Amblyseius andersoni Sachets - Slow-Release Spider & Russet Mite Prevention

What Andersoni Sachets Protect Against

Spider mites, caught early

Sachet mites find spider mite colonies while they're small: 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.

When mites get ahead of the sachets

Sachets are a preventive tool, not a rescue. If spider mite numbers climb:

• Add bottled andersoni for a fast dose of predators.
• Bring in Phytoseiulus persimilis for webbing-heavy hot spots.
• Add Stethorus punctillum, a predatory beetle with a big appetite for spider mites.

What's Inside a Sachet

Each hanging sachet holds about 250 andersoni mites at every life stage, so new predators keep walking out a few at a time. Plants get a steady supply of predators instead of a single release.

How Andersoni Works

A. andersoni is a generalist predatory mite that hunts spider mites, russet mites and broad mites, and it can live on pollen until pests show up. That's why sachets work before you see any damage. Females lay eggs on leaf hairs on the undersides of leaves. Eggs hatch in 2–3 days, young mites reach adulthood in about 8–12 days in summer, and adults live about 3 weeks.

When to Hang Sachets

• Early in the season, before spider mites and russet mites build up.
• Where temperatures swing between cool and hot, when many other predators slow down.
• Between treatments, to keep predators on the plants with no repeated handling.

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. In an orchard, one sachet per tree is a common starting point.

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
• Works alongside the rest of your IPM program

Sachet Rates

Sachets are a preventive tool, so one rate covers most situations:

• Plants touching: hang 1 sachet per 3–6 sq. ft.
• Plants not touching: hang 1 sachet per plant.
• Replace every 2–4 weeks.

These are general starting points. Adjust for the pest, the plant and the season, and check pests and predators regularly.

Temperature & Humidity Range

Effective range: 47–104°F
Humidity: 60–90%

A sachet that dries out stops producing mites.

How to Hang Andersoni Sachets

1. Pick the plants you want to protect.
2. Hang each sachet on a stem at mid-height, inside the canopy and touching the foliage so mites can walk straight onto the plant, out of direct sunlight.
3. Keep the bottom of the sachet off wet surfaces, and don't hang it where it will stay soaked, since constant dampness can grow mold. Keep sachets off heating pipes.
4. Write the date on the sachet so you know when to replace it.
5. Replace every 2–4 weeks.

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 hanging sachets.

Hang sachets the day they arrive. If you can't, keep them for no more than 8 hours at 55–65°F, out of direct sunlight. Never put sachets in the refrigerator, a cooler or an air-conditioned room; dry air ruins the colony inside.

Why hang sachets before I even see spider mites?
Spider mites multiply fast in warm weather, so you usually spot stippled leaves after the colony is established. Andersoni can live on pollen until mites arrive, so early sachets have predators waiting.

How long does one sachet last?
Plan on replacing it every 2–4 weeks. Swap it sooner if it has dried out or gotten soaked.

Can I hang sachets 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.

Can I use sachets with neem oil or insecticidal soap?
Not while predators are present. These products can kill predatory mites through direct contact, and some treatments may remain harmful after the spray has dried. Check which chemicals are safe for predatory mites and wait the recommended interval before hanging new sachets.

Are andersoni sachets 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.

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