Predatory Mites for Fungus Gnat and Thrips Treatment
Stratiolaelaps scimitus
Predatory mites are one of the most effective biological tools for managing fungus gnats and soil-stage thrips, and Stratiolaelaps scimitus is designed to work where many common treatments fall short—below the surface.
Stratiolaelaps scimitus is a soil-dwelling predatory mite that hunts pests in soil, substrate, and bedding. It targets fungus gnat larvae, thrips pupae, and other root-zone pests at the life stages that sustain infestations. It is also one of the few biological controls with documented use against snake mites in reptile enclosures.
Rather than addressing only what’s visible above the soil, this predator focuses control where pests actually develop.
What This Product Treats
Stratiolaelaps scimitus is used for soil-stage and substrate-based pest pressure, including:
Pest Coverage by Life Stage
| Pest | Life Stage Targeted | Is This Product Appropriate? |
|---|---|---|
| Fungus gnats | Larvae in soil | Yes – primary treatment |
| Thrips | Pupae in substrate | Yes – soil-stage control |
| Snake mites | Eggs and adults in bedding | Yes – reptile enclosures |
| Root aphids | Soil-dwelling forms | Yes – layered IPM |
| Soil-dwelling pest mites | Opportunistic control | Secondary pressure |
| Poultry mites | Bedding stages | Select setups |
| Adult thrips on foliage | Adults | No |
| Spider mites | Leaf-dwelling stages | No |
This predatory mite is most effective when pests are breeding in soil or bedding rather than feeding openly on foliage.
Why Use This Predatory Mite
Most control methods focus on adult pests or surface activity. Stratiolaelaps scimitus addresses the earlier stages that allow populations to persist.
It moves through soil and substrate to locate prey, feeds directly on developing pests, and reproduces in place as long as conditions remain suitable. Over time, this creates sustained biological pressure that interrupts pest life cycles rather than masking symptoms.
Because it works within the growing medium itself, it can be especially useful in setups where sprays, drenches, or surface treatments are ineffective or undesirable.
Best Use Cases
Stratiolaelaps scimitus is commonly used in:
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Houseplant collections with recurring fungus gnat issues
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Grow tents and greenhouses using organic or moisture-retentive media
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Reptile enclosures where snake mites need to be addressed without chemicals
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Propagation and seedling areas
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Living soil and no-spray growing systems
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Poultry or aviary bedding in appropriate environments
How to Use
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Sprinkle mites directly onto the soil surface of each plant
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In reptile enclosures, apply directly to bedding while avoiding direct contact with animals
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Predatory mites will move through soil or substrate to locate pests
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Avoid pesticides, soil drenches, oils, or sprays before and after release
Keeping soil lightly moist (not wet) for the first one to two weeks helps support establishment.
Follow-up applications may be useful in environments with ongoing or recurring pressure.
How Much Do I Need?
Each option is dosed based on average container-grown plants, using a typical 6-inch pot as a reference point.
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Smaller pots, propagation trays, or clustered plants are fully covered at the labeled plant count
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Larger pots, deeper soil, or consistently damp media may benefit from sizing up
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For early or light issues, using a lower size is usually sufficient
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For extreme pest pressure, choosing the next size up is often the safer choice
How These Predatory Mites Work
Stratiolaelaps scimitus establishes ongoing biological pressure as long as moisture and temperature remain within a workable range.
Females lay eggs directly in soil or substrate. Eggs hatch within one to two days, and juveniles mature into active hunters in about a week. Adults continue feeding and reproducing for several weeks, allowing control to persist as new pests emerge.
What This Does Not Treat
This product is intended specifically for soil and bedding pests. It is not appropriate for:
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Adult thrips on foliage (use Orius)
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Spider mites (use Ultimate Blend Mite Mix)
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Aphids above the soil line (use Ladybugs or parasitoids)
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Mealybugs (use Cryptolaemus Montrouzieri)
Matching the predator to the pest—and to the correct life stage—is essential for effective biological control.
Storage & Shipping
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Ships under live delivery guarantee
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Use immediately upon arrival when possible
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If short-term storage is needed, keep at 45–55°F for up to 48 hours
Clean Biological Control
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Leaves no chemical residue
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No re-entry interval
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Suitable for indoor growing environments
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Compatible with living soil systems
Stratiolaelaps scimitus is appropriate when fungus gnats, soil-stage thrips, or snake mites are developing out of sight and control needs to occur at the source rather than on the surface.
FAQ
How does the Live Guarantee work?
We know how important it is for your mites to arrive healthy and ready to work. That’s why we offer a live arrival guarantee—with flexible options depending on when we hear from you:
- Let us know within 24 hours of delivery: We’ll gladly send a free replacement shipment.
- Let us know within 2–3 days of delivery: We can offer store credit to make things right.
- After 3 days from delivery: Because these are living organisms, we’re not able to offer replacements or credit beyond that window. By then, it’s harder to know what went wrong or whether shipping conditions were a factor.
We truly want your mites to succeed—so please open your package as soon as it arrives and check on them. If something doesn’t look right, don’t wait—reach out and we’ll take care of you.
Where are you located?
We have a number of different locations in NJ, Maine and Oregon. While we'd love to have you, we are not currently open to the public.
Can I call you?
We get it. Sometimes it's easier to talk to someone, and on a case by case basis we can try to figure it out. Unfortunately though, we're really not able to take calls—FGMN is a small nursery, and we're usually elbows-deep in plants or packing boxes. To make sure nothing gets missed (and everyone gets a timely reply), we keep all communication in writing.
Feel free to message us at info@fgmnnursery.com. We mostly respond quickly, but every once in awhile replies may take a day. Do follow-up if you don't hear in that time. We're human, we miss an email here or there.
Too Many Options?
We get it. Try our mite/insect matchmaking quiz and instantly get matched to the solutions you may need.
Our Live Delivery Guarantee
We stand behind every leaf and every mite. If your plant or predatory insects don’t arrive alive on the first delivery attempt, we’ll make it right.
Here’s what you need to know:
- Email us at info@fgmnnursery.com within 24 hours of delivery
- Include clear photos of the item and the shipping label
- Someone must be available to receive the package—plants and bugs don’t do well sitting in the sun, a mailbox, or the back of a delivery truck
For plants, we offer store credit if something goes wrong.
For predatory mites and beneficial insects, you’ll have the choice of a replacement shipment or store credit.
If you contact us after the 24-hour window, we may still be able to help—just know it’s handled case by case.
We pack with care, insulate when needed, and check the weather before shipping. But once it’s in transit, the fastest way to protect your order is to open it right away.
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