Special Blend Predatory Mite Mix

Special Blend covers the four major food groups of crop destruction. By overlapping predatory styles, this mix targets pests at every stage of life—eggs, larvae, and adults.

Two-Spotted Spider Mites (Tetranychus urticae)
The primary target. Neoseiulus californicus hunts adults and eggs on the leaf, and unlike a strict specialist it keeps working at low prey densities, so new colonies are intercepted on the periphery instead of being allowed to establish.

Thrips (Frankliniella occidentalis)
Thrips scar leaves and spread disease. Amblyseius swirskii and Neoseiulus cucumeris specialize in consuming the first larval stage. They eat the babies before they can grow wings, effectively halting the infestation.

Whiteflies (Bemisia tabaci)
While adult whiteflies fly away, their eggs stay put. Amblyseius swirskii has a massive appetite for whitefly eggs and crawlers, clearing the "nursery" and preventing the next generation from taking flight.

Russet & Broad Mites
The invisible enemies. These microscopic pests often cause damage before you even see them. Neoseiulus californicus takes broad and cyclamen mites, and Neoseiulus cucumeris patrols for russet mites — both intercept these micro-pests before they can curl your leaves.

Biology is dictated by physics. While the Special Blend is engineered to be the most climate-resilient product on the market, these predators still have their limits. The "Blend" advantage is that when one species slows down due to heat or cold, another picks up the slack.

Here is how to dial in your room for maximum carnage.

Temperature: The Wide-Range Advantage

The Range: 50°F – 95°F (10°C – 35°C)

Most biocontrol fails because the room gets too hot or too cold. The Special Blend solves this with Thermal Stacking.

• The Cool Zone (50°F – 68°F): When your lights go off or the greenhouse cools down, Neoseiulus californicus and Neoseiulus cucumeris keep working. They slow down at the bottom of the range, but they do not go dormant.
• The Sweet Spot (68°F – 82°F): This is the engine room. All three species (Californicus, Cucumeris, Swirskii) are firing on all cylinders, reproducing rapidly and hunting aggressively.
• The Heat Wave (82°F – 95°F): When the temps spike, Amblyseius swirskii enters its prime. While others might seek shelter, Swirskii thrives in the heat, continuing to decimate thrips and whiteflies.

Humidity: The Critical Factor

The Target: 60% Relative Humidity (RH) or higher

If there is one rule to follow, it is this: Do not let them dry out.

• The Tolerant One: Neoseiulus californicus handles dry air better than any other predatory mite we carry, so the blend keeps hunting in a room that would stall a specialist. Swirskii and cucumeris are the ones that mind: their eggs shrivel and fail to hatch below about 55% RH.
• The Micro-Climate Hack: If you cannot raise your entire room's humidity, do not panic. The "micro-climate" inside the plant canopy (under the leaves) is usually 10-15% more humid than the ambient room air. As long as your plants are transpiring and healthy, the mites will survive deep in the foliage.

Lighting: Vampires of the Canopy

The Rule: Indirect is Best

Predatory mites are not photosynthetic. They do not need light to survive, and they generally dislike direct, intense radiation.

• Photoperiod: They work day and night. 18/6, 12/12, or 24/0 cycles do not affect them directly.
• Intensity: Avoid applying them directly under high-intensity HID or LED hotspots. They will instinctively migrate to the underside of leaves to escape the glare. This is good news, as that is exactly where the pests (spider mites and whitefly eggs) are hiding.

Designed for active infestations and visible pest pressure.

Special Blend combines three predator species into one immediate-release treatment:

• Californicus – spider mites, broad mites and cyclamen mites; tolerates drier air
  
• Swirskii – targets thrips larvae + some whitefly
  
• Cucumeris – targets thrips larvae and russet mites
  

If pest ID is unclear or pressure is mixed, this is the most complete bottle option.

When Special Blend Is the Right Fit

Use when:

• Thrips are present

• Spider mites are present

• You suspect multiple pests

• You want broad coverage instead of a single-species approach

How It Compares to Other Bottles

Persimilis Bottles

Stronger if spider mites are the only problem and heavy.

Cucumeris or Swirskii Bottles

Focused thrips treatment when spider mites are not a concern.

Californicus Bottles

A single-species option when spider mites or broad mites are the whole problem and thrips are not.

Special Blend combines treatment-level speed with broad coverage.

Bottles vs. Sachets (Important Distinction)

Special Blend Bottles

• Adults only

• Immediate release

• Built for treatment

• Designed to knock down active pressure

Special Blend Sachets

• Mixed life stages inside

• Slow release over ~2–4 weeks

• Built for prevention

• Designed to maintain control and prevent rebound

If pests are visible → start with bottles.

If plants are clean → use sachets.

1. The Gentle Tumble
Before opening, gently rotate the bottle end-over-end. Cucumeris tend to congregate at the top or bottom during shipping; tumbling ensures an even mix of mites and carrier material.

2. Application

• Direct Broadcast: Shake the material directly onto the leaves. Focus on the undersides and the "crotches" of the plant where branches meet the stem.

Special Blend Bottles ship overnight Monday through Thursday to protect viability.

An ice pack may be included depending on weather conditions.

Predatory mites are extremely small and may not be visible upon arrival. Not seeing movement does not mean they are not alive.

If you experience any issues, please contact us within 72 hours of delivery so we can assist promptly.

The mites begin hunting immediately. Visible pest reduction typically takes several days and depends on infestation severity.

Once active pest pressure is reduced, many growers transition to Special Blend Sachets to maintain predator presence and prevent rebound.

Yes. Different predatory mite species can be used together and often complement each other.

Special Blend already combines three species that work in different ways — some focus on thrips larvae, some on spider mites, and some provide broader mite coverage.

If you are adding another species, make sure it targets a different life stage or pest type. For example:

• 
  Add Orius if you are seeing adult thrips (flying stage)
  
• 
  Add Sf nematodes if soil-stage pests are involved
  

Avoid over-layering multiple species that do the exact same job unless pest pressure is severe.

When in doubt, choose one strong treatment strategy rather than stacking too many predators at once.

Yes. They are commonly used in indoor grow spaces, greenhouses, and home plant collections.

Maybe... you may see some movement briefly, but predatory mites are extremely small and disperse quickly. Not seeing them does not mean they are not working.

Our coverage estimates are based on an average 6-inch potted plant.

If your plants are larger, bushier, or heavily infested, use slightly more per plant.

If your plants are smaller, more compact, or lightly infested, you can use slightly less.

The key factor is leaf surface area, not just pot size. Larger foliage requires more predators for effective coverage.

When in doubt, err slightly higher for active infestations.