Common Questions about Natural Enemies
Question: Should I modify the sachet for use?
Answer: You should NOT modify the sachets! The sachets come ready to go when you receive them. They have been specifically designed to release mites slowly, over 4 or 5 weeks (under optimal conditions). No alterations or modifications are needed.
Question: Do I open the sachets? How do the bugs get out?
Answer: Please do not open or modify the sachet. The mites can exit and enter through a hole in the sachet's corner. Do not alter the sachet in any way, i.e., altering the release hole, opening one side of the sachet, etc. The sachets are designed to be hung 'as-is'.
Question: How do I know if my sachets arrived in good condition?
Answer: Our products are built to withstand shipping delays and minor damage. If you have concerns about the quality of your biologicals upon receipt, hold the sachet/packet from the top to not damage the pouch holding the mites and tear open the sachet. Sprinkle the sachet contents onto a white piece of paper and check for overall activity. A loupe or magnifying glass can help identify predator mites as they are small and sometimes hard to see with the naked eye. A way to check without a loupe is if you place the material on a surface, and watch without disturbance for a minute or so, you should see the material start to ‘breathe’ and pieces of the material shake or vibrate. This is caused by the mites moving throughout the material. In cold weather, please allow the products to warm up to room temperature and acclimate 2-3 hours before monitoring for activity.
Question: How long will my sachets last?
Answer: Sachets will release mites slowly over 4 – 5 weeks (under optimal conditions). More conservative estimates recommend reapplying after 2 – 3 weeks.
Question: How do I hang the sachets?
Answer: Open the shipping box of sachets. Separate sachets by tearing along perforations. Hang sachets so that the release hole is facing inward, toward the dense part of the canopy. Do not alter the sachet in any way, i.e., altering the release hole, opening one side of the sachet, etc., they are designed to be hung 'as-is'.
Question: How do I apply the product from the bottles?
Answer: Keep containers horizontal and cool until use. Do not expose to direct sunlight at any time. Immediately before opening, gently rotate the container to distribute mites evenly throughout the carrier material. Open each container in or near plants/application area when ready to use. Shake small quantities onto foliage.
Question: I see you have sachets on sticks and sachets on hooks. What are they used for?
Answer: The sachets on sticks are primarily used in nursery plants, cloning and propagation areas where plants are too small to hang sachets on hooks. The sticks allow you to begin your biocontrol program as soon as you get the plants rooted.
Question: How does a sachet work?
Answer: Sachets are a little like breeding bags packed with a complete food chain to sustain and ensure the continued reproduction of the predatory mites for multiple weeks.
Question: If I release two types of predators, will they eat each other?
Answer: Sometimes, but this rarely occurs in either the field or in production environments. Most predators will feed on their preferred host first. In some instances, they may resort to feeding on other predators, but only when their preferred host is scarce. The concept of predators feeding on other predators is known as intraguild predation. All our biologicals are safe to use in combination if they are applied in areas with an active food source. For example, Spical and Spidex are safe when applied together and are a smart choice for combatting an active spider mite infestation, even though Spical is a type III Generalist.
Question: Will all of my pest issues be eradicated once and for all if I release biocontrols?
Answer: No. The preventative use of beneficial insects is a maintenance situation. The “M” in IPM (Integrated Pest Management) stands for Management for a reason. Beneficial insects need to be reapplied regularly to ensure proper coverage and protection. The pests will continue to find their way onto the plants, so you will need to continue to fight them off. We offer a subscription service for this reason. With a subscription you can set an occurrence for when you would like to receive your biological controls. Simply check the box for “Weekly, Bi-Weekly, or Monthly” on the product page when selecting your beneficial to begin receiving regular shipments.
Question: Can I use compost teas/foliar nutrient sprays after I’ve released beneficial insects?
Answer: In most cases, spraying foliar teas is compatible with using beneficial insects. However, depending on the method of spraying and level of saturation there could be a potential for some of the predators to be physically knocked off the plant during application, so apply with caution and awareness of this potential.
Question: What happens to the frass (bug poo)? Won’t that get all over my flowers, and make passing tests difficult?
Answer: Predatory mites and insects tend to avoid the flower. The resinous trichomes will typically deter predatory mites and insects from ever stepping foot on the flower. Not a single failed microbial test has ever been reported due to the use of predatory mites and insects… chemical pesticide residues on the other hand? That’s a much different story.
Question: What happens to the biocontrols when they’ve done their job, and no pests remain? Do I end up consuming dead bugs?
Answer: No. The biocontrols will typically perish from starvation or simply leave the area once there is no more viable prey. Their bodies dry out and typically fall off the plant in short order.
Q: Why don’t you sell Ladybugs or Praying Mantids?
Answer: The biocontrol agents we sell are reared for use by commercial growers that demand consistent quality, performance, and availability. Ladybugs and praying mantids have their place in the biocontrol arsenal, however for the reasons mentioned above we choose not to carry them. We base our predatory recommendations on the pests you have or are preventing. In many cases casting too wide of a net might work against you.
Question: Do you offer discounts for large orders?
Answer: Absolutely! Our retail pricing is only the starting point. Not only do we routinely offer special promotions and discounts we also offer discounts based on frequency and volume for accounts that stay in good standing. Contact us directly for more details on our discounted price list.
Question: Can I load up my plants with biocontrols in the hopes they stay around longer?
Answer: This is not recommended. When treating preventatively, frequent applications of biocontrols at low or medium rates will outperform infrequent, heavy applications. Again, if the biocontrol agents do not have a food source they will disperse in short order.
Question: Can I still spray my plants with ‘’ chemical once I have released the biocontrols?
Answer: It depends. Feel free to consult our chemical database for information regarding interactions between specific name-brand chemicals and our products. (Koppert One). If you have questions on biocontrol/pesticide interactions, please chat, call, or email us.
