Stratiolaelaps Scimitus

This beneficial mite is a generalist predator that targets soft-bodied pests in the soil or substrate. It is widely recognized in the herpetoculture community as the safest, most effective natural cure for snake mites.

• Primary Targets: Snake Mites (Ophionyssus natricis), Fungus Gnat larvae (Bradysia spp.), and Thrips pupae.
• Secondary Targets: Springtails, root aphids, bulb mites, and poultry mites.
• Reptile Note: Unlike chemical sprays which can be toxic to sensitive reptiles, Stratiolaelaps attack the snake mites in the bedding where they breed, breaking the life cycle naturally.

Stratiolaelaps are hardy and adaptable, thriving in both plant soil and animal bedding.

• Temperature: Active between 59°F - 86°F (15°C - 30°C). Ideal for tropical terrariums and indoor grow rooms.
• Substrate Moisture: They require slightly humid conditions to survive. In reptile enclosures, ensure the substrate is not bone-dry; misting the enclosure helps maintain the humidity they need.
• Habitat: Thrives in potting soil, coco coir, sphagnum moss, cypress mulch, and bioactive leaf litter.

Not sure if you need Mites, Nematodes, or both? Here is how to choose the right predator for your situation.

• Choose Stratiolaelaps for Prevention: Use these if you want a "living shield." Because they can survive on debris and algae, they can be introduced before pests appear to stop infestations from ever starting.
  
• Choose Nematodes for Knockdown: If you have a severe, active infestation of Fungus Gnats that needs an immediate cure, nematodes work faster but die off quickly if they run out of food.
  
• Stratiolaelaps vs. Rove Beetles: Both hunt similar pests, but Stratiolaelaps are generally more cost-effective for smaller containers and reptile tanks, while Rove Beetles are flyers better suited for large greenhouses.
  
• The Best Strategy: Use them together! Apply Nematodes to kill the active larva wave, and apply Stratiolaelaps to clean up stragglers and prevent re-infestation.

Releasing Stratiolaelaps is simple and requires no special equipment.

• Prep: Ensure the soil or substrate is slightly moist before application.
  
• Mix: Gently rotate and tumble the bottle for 20–30 seconds to mix the predatory mites evenly into the carrier material (peat/vermiculite).
  
• Plant Application: Sprinkle roughly 1 tsp per plant directly onto the soil surface, focusing on the stem base.
  
• Reptile Application: Pour the mixture directly over the substrate or bedding. You can pile small mounds in corners or spread it evenly.
  
• Wait & Monitor: Leave the carrier material in place. The mites will migrate into the substrate to hunt. Reductions in pest populations typically occur within 2–3 weeks.

Packaging: Shipped via 2-Day Express in bottles or tubes containing a carrier mix (vermiculite/peat) that mimics their natural habitat during transit.

Viability: The bottle contains a mix of adults, nymphs, and eggs to ensure a sustaining population upon release.

Storage: Use immediately upon arrival for best results. If necessary, store horizontally in a cool dark place (50-60°F) for up to 24 hours. Do not refrigerate.

No. Diatomaceous earth is a mechanical killer that will slice the exoskeletons of your beneficial mites just as easily as it kills pests. You should also avoid using chemical pesticides (like permethrin or imidacloprid) for at least 2 weeks before releasing mites. However, they are generally compatible with Bacillus thuringiensis (Mosquito Bits/Dunks) if applied carefully.

Absolutely not. Stratiolaelaps scimitus are strict carnivores of small invertebrates. They have no interest in biting humans, cats, dogs, or plant tissue. If you see them crawling on your reptile, they are hunting the parasites on the animal, not harming the animal itself.

They are very small and often hide within the carrier material. The best way to check for life is to pour a small amount of the carrier onto a white sheet of paper and use a magnifying glass or macro lens. Watch for tiny, tan-colored specks moving quickly across the surface. If the bottle smells rotten, that is a bad sign, but a lack of immediate movement is often just them hiding.

It depends on your setup. In a bioactive terrarium or a permanent garden bed with organic soil, Stratiolaelaps can establish a breeding colony and persist for months or even years. In potted plants with sterile soil or temporary setups, they may eventually die out once the pests are gone, requiring re-application every 6–8 weeks for prevention.

Not effectively. Stratiolaelaps need a substrate (soil, coco, bedding) to burrow, hide, and reproduce. On paper towels or bare glass, they will dehydrate and die very quickly. If you have a quarantine setup with paper towels, you are better off using predatory mites that live on the animal or using chemical treatments until you move them to a substrate-based enclosure.

You likely won't see the mites themselves after release. The sign of success is the absence of pests. For fungus gnats, you should see a significant decrease in flying adults within 2–3 weeks (since the mites eat the larvae, preventing new adults from emerging). For snake mites, you should see fewer mites on your animal and in the water bowl over the same period.