Emergency Red Spider Mite Pest Pack - "Help red spider mite numbers are building up. What should I do?"

Use our Emergency Red Spider Mite Pest Pack containing 250ml of SB Plant Invigorator & one intro. of 2000 phytoseiulus.

1. Spray with SB Invigorator for 2 weeks.
2. Introduce the phytoseiulus to establish a breeding colony for long term control. The phyto will be sent automatically 14 days after the SB Invigorator.

"I followed your advice and within three weeks there wasn't a red spider mite to be seen in my studio. Thank you very much. The combination of the predator creatures and the SB Plant Invigorator was just what was needed." Hilary by email

Emergency Red Spider Mite Pest Pack £36.00

Red Spider Mite (RSM) - Adult RSM are just visible to the naked eye and can be found on the underside of leaves. Despite their name they can be any colour from red, yellow, green, orange, brown or even black depending on the host plant, although they are normally red and all have 2 dark spots on the rear of the body. The females over winter in cracks and crevices in greenhouses or conservatories and emerge to lay eggs in the spring when the temperatures rise and the daylength increases. The eggs hatch to produce larvae and as the temperatures rise the infestation can quickly escalate and get out of control. All the stages in the RSM cycle feed on the underside of leaves. Control RSM by introducing Phytoseiulus AS SOON as you see RSM and the temp is 16C/61F. Phytoseiulus is a tiny, harmless mite with a BIG appetite for Red Spider Mite.

Red Spider Mite - RSM feed on plant tissue piercing the cells and sucking out it's contents killing it. This occurs mostly on the underside of the leaves resulting in small yellow / white spots to appear on the upper leaf surface. As the attack continues the death of more and more cells causes the leaf to turn yellow and die. Eventually the whole plant is killed. As the number of RSM increases, webs are produced across the shoot tips. RSM can be brought into the greenhouse or conservatory either on plants, on the clothing of people or through vents in warm weather.

Phytoseiulus - Control red spider mite in your greenhouse or conservatory by introducing Phytoseiulus AS SOON as you see RSM and the temp is 16C/61F. (Phytoseiulus has been used commercially since the 1960's.) Phytoseiulus is a tiny mite, slightly smaller than a RSM and it feeds on all stages of the RSM eating up to 5 adults or 25 young larvae/eggs per day. Phytoseiulus is supplied in small tubes containing a minimum of 1000 adults. The contents of the tube (inc. the vermiculite they are packed in) is simply sprinkled over the infected plants. If the infestation of RSM is very heavy and there is webbing at the tips of the plants, break up the webs first with your fingers or with a feather duster and spray the plant with SB Invigorator, concentrating on the underside of the leaves. Help the Phytoseiulus by increasing the humidity (spray the underside of the leaves with soft water) and keep the temperature above 16C (but below 30°C). Also group infected plants together, so the Phyto can "chase" the RSM from plant to plant.

Only got a few plants? Use 1 intro. of 1000 phyto.

Persistent infestation? Use regular introductions throughout the growing season - see our planned programmes.

Heavy infestation? Use an economy pack of 2000 phyto.

"I just thought i would let you know that i used your predator mites on my Datura cuttings and they have totally wiped out the red spider mites where Ibefethrin didn't work. I won't use insecticides any more, predator mites are brilliant" Paul

Phytoseiulus Planned Programmes - Introduce Phytoseiulus regularly (every 4 weeks) where RSM is a recurring problem, especially where plants are being moved to and from the greenhouse and new plants are being brought in. This is common in a busy greenhouse during the growing season and makes RSM particularly difficult to control i.e. you may be taking the bio control out and bring RSM in. In commercial greenhouses they combat this problem by introducing phyto regularly through the season - you too can now have regular introductions. Our Phytoseiulus Planned Programme consist of phyto sent by 1st class post at 4 weekly intervals. Decide how many weeks you want your programme to run for - we offer a 3, 4 & 5 introductions. The 1st Phytoseiulus will be despatched ASAP and then we will continue to send fresh Phytoseiulus every 4 weeks for the duration of the programme.

For smaller greenhouses use 1000 phyto per intro.

For larger greenhouses use 2000 phyto per intro.

" I had 2 peaches and nectarines that were practically dying from RSM. I used Phyto. and now they are fruiting marvelously." Mr J of Reading 

"Jon, I just wanted to make a point of thanking your company for your excellent quality of service. I recently needed to purchased some Phytoseiulus for a growing issue of Red Spider Mite. Although it had not been a major problem, we had been bothered by RSM for the past 5-6 years,  but this summer we had been infested with them from early April. After applying the initial bottle of Phytoseiulus, we were pleasantly surprised by the results, but the 2nd application has totally eradicated the problem. Great product, great service and grateful thanks." Bob by email

SB Invigorator - Use SB Invigorator spray to control RSM until the temp. is 16C/61F and Phytoseiulus can be introduced. SB Invigorator can then be used to mop up any RSM "hotspots" i.e. any big groups of RSM discovered once the Phyto have been introduced. You should also use it for a pest emergency - been away or not noticed a rapid build up of RSM - use SB Invigorator to get control BEFORE introducing beneficial insects.

SB Invigorator - Controls Red Spider Mite and used regularly will reduce fungal diseases such as mildew PLUS it contains a foliar feed to help plants recover from pest attack. SB Invigorator is not only highly effective, but it is also biodegradable and non -toxic ,which means it can be used in the garden, conservatory or in the greenhouse and on edible plants too - pick and eat straightway. It is suitable for use throughout the year. SB Invigorator is brilliant at clearing heavy infestations BEFORE introducing a natural control - see our Emergency Pest Pack below.

SB Invigorator is available as a 500ml ready to use spray, as a 250ml concentrate (makes 25 litres of spray) or as a 1 litre super concentrate (makes 500 litres) for use in your own sprayer.

"The plant invigorator spray is working beautifully on the aphids in the back garden and it is a pleasure to be able to spray something effective ,but based only on plant oils." Jacob by email.

N.B. It is too late to introduce Ambleyseius Andersonii now, so if you discover Red Spider Mite, introduce Phytoseiulus instead. Available again in 2014.

Amblyseius andersonii  - Often RSM can flourish in your greenhouse / conservatory BEFORE the temperatures are high enough to introduce phytoseiulus, Amblyseius andersonii is a low temperture predator, which can be introduced when the temperatures reach 10c. Amblyseius andersonii is supplied in sachets with each sachet containing a colony of Amblyseius and a supply of food which will last them for up to 6-8 weeks. During this time the adult Amblyseius will emerge and search for RSM on your plants to eat. If there are none they will search out other sources of food such as pollen, fungal spores and plant sap and wait for the red spider mite to arrive. Introduce as soon as temperatures average 10C/50F and new growth appears on plants.