Neoseiulus (= Amblyseius) californicus

Mite Predator

This mite predator survives low spider mite densities by feeding on pollen and other small arthropods. Survives a wide range of temperatures and can tolerate lower humidity (40%RH).

Ships Monday-Thursday via Overnight methods. There is a processing time for this beneficial. See Shipping Info for details or call us at 1-800-827-2847. For Delivery Only. Not available in store.

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Now Available in Sachets w/hooks, on sticks and more!

Ships via Overnight methods only. Ships Monday-Thursday. See shipping info for details or call us at 1-800-827-2847 for specific details. For delivery only. Not available in store.

Neoseiulus (= Amblyseius) californicus is an oblong, tiny predatory mite that feeds on a variety of prey and is useful in prevention, control and management of infestations of various spider mite species. It can also be used as a preventative control of broad mites, cyclamen mites, and some russet mite species. Since they are slower feeders than other mite predators (P. persimilis, N. fallacis), N. californicus should be used in conjunction with other suitable beneficial insects in the presence of large pest populations.

N. californicus mite predators are pear-shaped relative to pest mites and have a creamy color (more opaque than pest mites). Their slow feeding habits make them effective against low mite populations and when used preventatively. N. californicus are known to be effective on the west coast and in the southeastern United States due to suitable temperature and humidity levels in those regions. Use on crops including cucumbers, tomatoes, strawberries, tropical foliage plants, and greenhouse roses. Suitable environments for release are gardens, grow rooms, fields, orchards and greenhouses.

Preferred Food: Two-spotted spider mites and many other mite species. Reproduction rates are best when spider mites are the primary food source. These predatory mites consume egg, nymph and adult stages of pest mites.

Optimum Conditions: 50-105°F, 40-60% RH

Significantly cooler and warmer temperatures will slow and/or inhibit reproduction and development. Higher humidity is generally necessary with higher temperatures; however, N. californicus can persist in low humidity environments with limited food sources. The slower pace that these predatory mites feed at (5 mites per day) and their ability to sustain themselves on pollen allows them to survive longer in low pest populations. A full life cycle for N. californicus lasts between one to two weeks and is significantly influenced by temperature.

Release Rates: Some crops, including tomatoes & other highly resinous crops, require higher release rates.

1-4 mites per plant (roughly 1,000-4,000 per 1,000 square feet) or 1-2 per square foot in greenhouses, biweekly, 2-3 times
5,000-20,000 per acre depending on infestation levels, biweekly, 2-3 times

PLEASE NOTE: All Mite Predators require additional processing time due to rearing and collection times. Additional information can be found on the Shipping Tab to identify the earliest shipment date. If you have questions about shipment dates, orders can be placed with our sales representatives at 1-800-827-2847.

This Product Controls These Pests or Diseases: Brown Almond Mite (Bryobia rubrioculus), Spider Mite (Mult), Two-Spotted Spider Mite (Tetranychus urticae), Cyclamen Mite (Phytonemus pallidus), Broad Mite (Polyphagotarsonemus latus), Russet Mites

N. californicus are effective mite predators and control spider mites, broad mites, cyclamen mites and some species of russet mites. Release instructions can be found below. If you are a first time user of N. californicus mite predators, please call us at 1-800-827-2847 to walk through application instructions and best practices.

Application:
Shake small quantities of predatory mites onto crop where pest pressure is heaviest. Immediately before opening, gently rotate the container to distribute mites evenly throughout the carrier material and continue rotating during application, keeping material mixed. Keep rotating the bottle slowly as you disperse the predators.

Environment: Outdoors, Crops, Orchards & Vineyards, Nursery, Greenhouse, Grow Room, Hydroponics, Aquaponics, Pond & Environment, Interiorscapes, Container Plants

Storage: If not releasing immediately, keep in a cool dark place out of direct sunlight. Do not refrigerate.

Viability Note: If you plan to check for viability, please do so upon receipt and prior to releasing the beneficial insects. Many predators and parasites are small and can be difficult to spot once released. If you believe there are issues with viability, please contact us at 1-800-827-2847 or customercare@arbico.com.

Shipping Restrictions:

Ships via Overnight methods only. This does not take processing time into account. Overnight Shipping refers to the time frame for delivery after the shipment date.
Orders ship Monday-Thursday only.
Orders will be processed for the next available shipping date. Processing can take 24-48 hours.
For the earliest ship dates, please call us at 1-800-827-2847.

Cannot Be Shipped To: HI

What's In The Package:

N. californicus sizes in loose media are shipped as adults.
1,000 ct. – 1 oz. bottle in corn grit.
2,000 ct. – 4 oz. bottle in vermiculite.
5,000 ct. – 1/2 liter bottle in vermiculite.
10,000 ct. – 2 x 1/2 liter bottles in vermiculite
25,000 ct. – 1 liter bottle in vermiculite.

Shelf Life: Use within 18 hours of receipt.

Life Cycle: Eggs are laid among pest mite populations as well as in the webbing. Each adult female can lay up to 43 eggs which hatch into readily feeding larvae. Once hatched, N. californicus mature as larvae through their nymph stages for about 8 days until they reach adulthood, where they stay for another 20 days. Adults feed slowly, but consistently for the duration of their life span.

Reviews

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Count your order

May 19, 2022 | By Kyle

Count your order the day you get it... even though they say not to open your box until It's In your room your releasing your predator mites into... I'd still count right away and seal the box back up... cause I was 54 satchels of 200 short and I didn't know till 4 days after I received my order cause I wasn't ready to put into my room the day of delivery. And then they said it was to late for the to do anything...

Owner Response: Thank you Kyle! It's very important to check your order the day it is received! Then contact customercare@arbico.com with any viability concerns.

Dead just wait!

Oct 11, 2020 | By J B

It was definitely a potent batch of eggs and larva. Raised the temperature to 79f with the humidity at 55%. Everything became active as it should and now the number of spider mites have decimated with new specimen on the way (they reproduced eggs on the stem). Temperature is BIG factor.

Sucker

Oct 8, 2020 | By J Bat

I saw no movement of the specimen so I called customer service they said they have a "live bottle on their desk from today" and they are all in movement, that I have to use a microscope. I got under my microscope 100x and all I saw was dead specimens. I wanted pest control and I got confetti.

Owner Response: Hi Jose. I don't have any notes that you spoke with Customer Service about this issue. Our Live Delivery Guarantee includes replacement of dead product if notified immediately and photos provided. We hope to have the opportunity to work with you again.

Worth every penny

Jun 24, 2020 | By Cher

We deal with a spider mite infestation in our garden every year. We have a small yard with adjoining neighbors who do not/will not treat their properties for mites and therefore they come back year after year. We have battled very high numbers of these mites for several years, to the point where there are so many, they were coming into our house. Summer meant misery for us. NOT ANYMORE! Arbico has been a game changer. We purchase predator mites several times during the summer months, in addition to other mite predators, all from Arbico. I cannot say enough good things about this company. They have always shipped packages in a timely manner and they have been very effective for our needs. Need help? Call them. They are friendly and helpful and will guide you through whatever you are trying to accomplish. I know the products work because the mite population goes down signifigantly, allowing us to enjoy our yard and have our plants thrive. It is like night and day. I highly recommend Arbico, they have proven to be trustworthy and reliable. I will continue buying from them

Get some

Apr 16, 2020 | By David K Harrell

I have been using californicus for about 1year now and my rooms have been mite free I had a bad problem with rusted mites but not anymore love this product and this company will never go anywhere else

Finally Gone!!

Jun 10, 2019 | By Michael J Crosby

We had a bad spider mite infestation and used abricos competitor and wished we used abrico from the beginning their competitors were late, bugs came dead and sent me the wrong amount and them did not return my calls or g-mails. When we switched to abrico everything went as advertised on time live delivery and my mite problem is gone I will make a few more purchases maintenance and will turn to abrico again if they ever come back.

Predators arrive alive and active!

May 5, 2019 | By Dustin Kessler

I've ordered from other predator insect farms and haven't had nearly as good success as i do with arbicos predators! A little more expensive but well worth it.

Great service!

Apr 12, 2019 | By Moises Bazan Juarez

Couldn't be any better

Awesome

Feb 25, 2019 | By Dianna

Customer service is great!

leo's happy day

Oct 3, 2018 | By Leo Weisman

Thanks for the quick shipping. Cleared up my broad mites infestation quickly.

no instructions

Aug 20, 2018 | By Bonnie

I had no instructions and dint even know what was in the jar. BUT it looks like they worked anyways!!

Owner Response: Thank you for the feedback Bonnie! We have release instructions on the website, but I will look into putting together a sheet to go out with the mite predators.

Predatorys for the win

Jul 24, 2018 | By Austin

Always my top choice on where to get my beneficials and the californicus are beasts in low humidity!

Always works when I see signs of Broad/Russet mites

Jul 15, 2018 | By Caleb

These guys rock. I have had almost crop killing Broad/Russet infestations both inside on Cannabis plants and in my outdoor garden and each time these predator mites knock their numbers back and allow the plants to flourish, shooting up all kinds of new growth after the post bite toxin stunt. I will always buy these over chemical sprays.

N.californicus for Avocado tree - SUCCESS!

May 20, 2018 | By Michikami

Looked like I had an infestation of persea mites destroying leaves on my avocado tree. Gave the N.califoricus mites (2000) a try before chemicals. Glad I did! After 12 days, the damaged leaves have mostly fallen off, replaced by many new healthy leaves, and I can't find a single mite anywhere.

Owner Response: Fantastic! Most of our mite predators go to indoor growing environments, so it is great to get feedback when they are used differently. Thanks for getting back!