Amblyseius swirskii Bottled Mites - Fast-Coverage Thrips & Whitefly Control
TARGET PESTS
What Bottled Swirskii Goes After
Young Thrips
Western flower thrips, onion thrips, melon thrips and chilli thrips, caught as young larvae before they mature.
Whitefly Eggs and Young Nymphs
Greenhouse whitefly and tobacco (silverleaf) whitefly.
Small Plant-Feeding Mites
Broad mites, cyclamen mites, russet mites and some other small mites. A. swirskii also feeds on two-spotted spider mites at low numbers, but it isn't a spider mite control. For an established spider mite problem, Phytoseiulus persimilis or Neoseiulus californicus will work faster.
Heavy Pressure? Pair It.
- Heavy thrips: add Orius insidiosus, a faster-acting predator that also eats adult thrips.
- Heavy whitefly: Encarsia formosa targets greenhouse whitefly nymphs; Eretmocerus eremicus handles heat better and also attacks tobacco whitefly.
PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
What's in the Bottle
Each bottle holds swirskii 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 for large greenhouses and growing operations.
How Swirskii Works
A. swirskii is a small, tan predatory mite that hides on leaf undersides and along the veins, ambushing young thrips and whitefly where they hatch. It pierces pest eggs and larvae and drains them, and it can live on pollen when pests are scarce. Eggs hatch in a few days, and young mites reach adulthood in about 7–10 days, so new generations build up alongside the pest.
When to Reach for the Bottle
- Thrips or whitefly 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.
- Your space runs warm, 68–95°F, where cucumeris slows down.
For steady protection between bottle releases, hang swirskii sachets.
Swirskii or Cucumeris?
Pick by temperature. A. swirskii is the warm-season choice and also eats whitefly. In cooler spaces, use A. cucumeris. Their ranges overlap around 68–80°F, so many growers use both as the seasons change.
Safe, Sustainable Pest Management
- No synthetic pesticides
- Safe around people, pets and plants when used as directed
- Safe for use on edible crops when used as directed
- No mixing or spraying
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: 5–10+ mites per sq. ft., every 1–2 weeks, with other compatible controls
How Far a Bottle Goes
| Size | Light (2–5/sq. ft.) | Heavy (5–10/sq. ft.) |
|---|---|---|
| 4,000 | 800–2,000 sq. ft. | 400–800 sq. ft. |
| 10,000 | 2,000–5,000 sq. ft. | 1,000–2,000 sq. ft. |
| 25,000 | 5,000–12,500 sq. ft. | 2,500–5,000 sq. ft. |
| 125,000 | 25,000–62,500 sq. ft. | 12,500–25,000 sq. ft. |
Temperature & Humidity
Effective range: 68–95°F (best 70–85°F). Humidity: 60–90%. If the air is dry, mist lightly before release; swirskii eggs need humidity to hatch.
APPLICATION
How to Release Bottled Swirskii
- Release in the early morning, in the evening, or when grow lights are off.
- If conditions are dry, mist the foliage lightly first.
- Gently turn the bottle to mix the mites through the carrier.
- Sprinkle the contents onto the plants, or pour them into hanging release boxes to keep predators where you need them.
- Leave the open bottle near the plants for 24 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 and 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 swirskii 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 lot of predators on your plants at once, so they suit thrips or whitefly that have already shown up. Sachets release mites slowly over 2–4 weeks and suit prevention. Many growers use both.
How can I tell if swirskii is working?
You'll usually see results before you see the mites. Look for fewer new silvery thrips scars and fewer whitefly nymphs on leaf undersides. A hand lens helps you spot the mites, and yellow or blue sticky cards make it easy to track adult pests.
Will it work on houseplants indoors?
Yes, as long as the space stays at 68°F or warmer; 70–85°F is best. A warm sunroom, grow tent or shelf under grow lights works well. If your home runs cooler in winter, use cucumeris for those months.
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.
Is bottled swirskii safe for people, pets and plants?
When used as directed, yes. Swirskii 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.