Tomatoville® Gardening Forums - View Single Post - Predatory Mites

rnewste · May 29, 2014

Anne,

I tried 7000 Ladybugs over a 3 week period in April but the Whiteflies just seemed to just laugh at them. Within a few days all of the Ladybugs had flown off, and the Whiteflies remained entrenched - that is when I opted for the Spinosad and Botanigard. Wish the predatory insects would have worked - but as a last resort the sprays were my only option....

Raybo

EDIT: These two statements on the website seem in confliction:

They are able to hunt in extremely hot conditions, without requiring a high humidity (at least 50%).

Use in Biological Control: Occidentalis feeds primarily on spider mite nymphs and adults, but not eggs. It will also feed on pollen when mite populations are low. The predators are well adapted to hot conditions as long as relative humidity is over 50%.

May 29, 2014	#3
rnewste Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Campbell, CA Posts: 4,064	Anne, I tried 7000 Ladybugs over a 3 week period in April but the Whiteflies just seemed to just laugh at them. Within a few days all of the Ladybugs had flown off, and the Whiteflies remained entrenched - that is when I opted for the Spinosad and Botanigard. Wish the predatory insects would have worked - but as a last resort the sprays were my only option.... Raybo EDIT: These two statements on the website seem in confliction: They are able to hunt in extremely hot conditions, without requiring a high humidity (at least 50%). Use in Biological Control: Occidentalis feeds primarily on spider mite nymphs and adults, but not eggs. It will also feed on pollen when mite populations are low. The predators are well adapted to hot conditions as long as relative humidity is over 50%. Last edited by rnewste; May 29, 2014 at 08:04 PM.