Thrips predatory mites (Amblyseius cucumeris) (10 sachets) | against thrips

Predatory mites (Amblyseius cucumeris) – Preventive control of thrips

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⚠️ Please note: Beneficial insects are shipped only once a week (Tuesday). Order by Monday at 8:00 AM at the latest – and remember to pick up the package immediately upon arrival.

Prevent damage to your plants with predatory mites – a natural and non-toxic solution for controlling thrips. The predatory mites are delivered in small sachets that are hung directly on the plants. From there, they crawl out daily over 4–6 weeks to seek out thrips larvae, which they feed on.

This biological control is especially effective in greenhouses for plants such as cucumbers, peppers, and other vegetables. By releasing them preventively, you ensure that the predatory mites are present before the thrips infestation truly gains momentum.

If there are not enough thrips larvae, the predatory mites can also feed on pollen or other small mites, making them more stable in the environment. They can also be used against cyclamen mites and broad mites.

Signs of thrips in plants

Thrips are small, slender insects that can be difficult to spot before the plants start showing clear signs of damage. They attack houseplants, greenhouse plants, vegetables, and ornamental plants alike, and thrive particularly well in warm conditions.

Thrips live by rasping holes in plant cells and sucking out the contents. One of the most characteristic signs is therefore silvery-gray, light, or bronze-colored areas on the leaves. The damage can start as small dots or streaks and gradually develop into larger, irregular areas.

Another very typical sign is small black dots on the leaves. These are the thrips' excrement, often found in or around the silvery areas. The combination of silvery suction damage and small black dots is therefore a good indicator that thrips may be present.

Thrips often reside on the underside of leaves, along the leaf veins, in new shoots, and inside flowers, where they can be well hidden. Adult thrips are typically only 1–2 mm long, slender, and dark or brownish, while larvae are often smaller and lighter. A 10× magnifying glass makes it significantly easier to find both larvae and adult thrips.

On new leaves, an infestation can cause stunted growth, curled leaves, and deformed shoots, because the damage occurs while the leaf is still developing. On flowering plants, thrips can also cause discolored, spotted, or damaged flowers.

Typical signs of thrips include:

• Silvery-gray, light, or bronze-colored areas on the leaves
• Small black dots of excrement around the damage
• Small, elongated insects on leaves and in flowers
• Light-colored thrips larvae, especially on the underside of leaves
• Deformed or curled new leaves
• Stunted or malformed new growth
• Spots and damage on flowers
• Damage that continues to appear on new growth

It is an advantage to discover thrips early, as a minor infestation is significantly easier to get under control. Sticky traps can be used to monitor adult flying thrips, while a magnifying glass makes it easier to examine the leaves for larvae and adult individuals.

Which beneficial insect should I choose for thrips?

The choice depends, among other things, on the size of the infestation and which thrips species is involved. Predatory mites (Amblyseius cucumeris) mainly attack the first larval stage of thrips and are therefore very well suited for prevention and early infestations.

For an established infestation, Orius bugs can be a good choice because they consume both thrips larvae and adult thrips.

On tropical and exotic ornamental plants, more difficult or invasive thrips species may occur. In these cases, Franklinothrips (Franklinothrips vespiformis) may be the better choice, as it actively hunts a range of leaf-dwelling thrips species, including Echinothrips, orchid thrips, and Thrips parvispinus.

For larger infestations, a combination of different beneficial insects can be an advantage because they attack different stages of the thrips' life cycle.

Benefits of predatory mites:

• Effective and natural prevention of thrips infestations
• Long-lasting effect: predatory mites are released daily from the sachet for 4–6 weeks
• Gentle and 100% non-toxic solution
• Can be combined with Orius and yellow sticky traps for better effect

Application:

• Use 1 small sachet per plant or 2–3 sachets per m².
• Hang the sachets on side branches or leaf stalks in the shade under the leaves so they do not dry out.
• Ensure high humidity, especially at the beginning of the season when the plants are small.
• Deploy the sachets early (May/June in the greenhouse), before the thrips infestation gains momentum.
• NB: The sachets have pre-made holes – they should not be opened or altered.

Important: Predatory mites only attack thrips in the first larval stage. Therefore, preventive deployment is the key to success.

Storage:

Use immediately upon receipt. If necessary, the sachets can be stored for 3–4 days at 15 °C.

Important information regarding delivery of beneficial insects

• Order deadline: The manufacturer packs and ships only once a week – every Tuesday. Your order must reach us no later than Monday at 8:00 AM.
• Late orders: Orders received after Monday at 8:00 AM will not be shipped until the following Tuesday.
• Direct delivery: Beneficial insects are shipped directly from the manufacturer to ensure freshness and optimal quality.
• Delivery method: All orders are always delivered to a Bring parcel shop/parcel locker. The system automatically selects the one closest to your address, even if you choose home delivery at checkout.
• Quick pickup: Beneficial insects should be picked up as soon as possible and used immediately upon receipt to ensure the best possible effect.