7 August 2026

What’s attacking my Fuchsias? How to deal with Fuchsia Gall Mite.

I love Fuchsias, but so does fuchsia gall mite. Fuchsia gall mite is a microscopic sap-sucking pest that causes extensive damage to the growing tips of the plants affecting the appearance of fuchsias. These tiny pest mites cannot be seen with the naked eye, but their effects on the plants are easily spotted – look out for distorted foliage, galling and the plants will be unable to flower. The Gall Mites suck the sap from the shoot tips, which prevents the normal development of leaves and flowers and as the number of mites rises, the foliage becomes increasingly distorted until plants no longer produce normal leaves or flowers.

Control Fuchsia Gall Mite by introducing a predatory mite called Amblyseius Andersonii that will feed on the Fuchsia Gall Mite – it can be introduced anytime between March and October or used under-glass all year round. If your plants have suffered in previous years, then introduce as a preventative measure, but if your plants are already infected, then cut the affected growth out, cutting back at least 10cm below the affected growth and then introduce Amblyseius Andersonii.

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, so it is ideal for using in the spring when Fuchsia Gall Mite numbers are low or late in the season when again Fuchsia Gall Mite numbers can be low or if you have a persistent RSM problem each year and you want to introduce a preventative predator.  Simply hang sachets on the affected plants BOTH INDOORS and OUTDOORS – the sachets are weather resistant and should be hung on the plants with the writing facing out and the 2 pre-stamped holes on the inside – they are near the hinge on the plain side :-

If they are being used outside or likely to be knocked, staple at the bottom to prevent them falling off. Leave in place for 8 weeks. Aim to hang 1 on each affected plant if the plants are small, but increase the numbers of sachets per plant if the plants are bigger or if the Gall Mites are extensive – you cannot overdose, so do not be afraid to hang lots of sachets to get on top of the problem. Amblyseius Andersonii is a living, perishable product, so please order when the temperature is suitable (minimum daytime temp of 10c, but below this they will be fine but be sluggish – they particularity good at higher temps i.e. above 30c, so they can be used during hot summers) and you are ready to position the sachets on the plants. Available ALL YEAR ROUND for use UNDERGLASS.

Fuchsia Gall Mite was discovered in the UK in 2007 and may have been imported on plants brought in from France / Channel Islands where the mite is widespread. Since then it has gone on to be found in the South East, East Anglia, Wales and Cheshire.  Fuchsia Gall Mites are tiny and do not travel far under their own steam, but it is believed they are spread by the wind, by insects and by the movement of plants from one garden to another. It is believed to be active between early Spring and late Autumn and it can complete its life-cycle in 21 days, so they will have several generations each year and their numbers can quickly build up. Fuchsia Gall Mites will overwinter under bud scales outdoors, but may remain active during the winter on glasshouse fuchsias. Introducing Amblyseius Andersonii BOTH early in the season and late in the season to deal with overwintering mites is an effective way of stopping their numbers building up. Then simply release more Amblyseius Andersonii as they appear throughout the growing season. If you have a persistent problem or a very heavy infestation, then regular introductions at 8 weekly intervals is very effective – check out our Amblyseius Andersonii Programmes, which deliverers fresh packs of   at 8 weekly intervals.

From Di by email “These really work! We have a very large Mrs Popple we’ve had since 1980 & we were devastated when it got FGM & then spread to our other fuschias. I cut all the green off then when it started growing back I stapled the sachets on. It really is a miracle! I check them every day & if it starts up again I’ll be ordering more straight away. As soon as growth starts after next winter I’ll buy some more as a preventative. Our gardener can’t believe it & is spreading the word round his customers! Thank you so much.”

Available to buy now