Biological Pest Control Guide

Which predator do you need?
Compare them all.

Every pest has a natural predator. Each one has different requirements — humidity, temperature, where it works. Use this chart to find the right match for your specific situation.

Predator Humidity Needed Temp Range Works In Specialist / Generalist Speed of Action Shop
Spider Mites Tetranychus urticae & othersShop all →
Phytoseiulus persimilis Predatory mite Primary High (60–80%)Dies in dry conditions 59–86°F / 15–30°C Foliage Specialist Fast — days Shop →
Neoseiulus californicus Predatory mite Primary Moderate (40–70%)More humidity tolerant 54–104°F / 12–40°C Foliage Generalist Medium — 1–2 wks Shop →
Amblyseius andersoni Predatory mite Low–Moderate OK 43–104°F / 6–40°CWorks in cool conditions Foliage Generalist Medium — 1–2 wks Shop →
Feltiella acarisuga Predatory midge High (70–80%)Required for pupation 64–82°F / 18–28°C Foliage Specialist Medium — 1–2 wks —
Thrips Frankliniella & Thrips tabaciShop all →
Neoseiulus cucumeris Predatory mite Primary Moderate (60–70%) 68–86°F / 20–30°C Foliage Generalist Medium — 1–2 wks Shop →
Amblyseius swirskii Predatory mite Primary Moderate (60–70%) 72–95°F / 22–35°CNeeds warmth Foliage Generalist Medium — 1–2 wks Shop →
Orius insidiosus Predatory bug Moderate (50–70%) 65–90°F / 18–32°C Foliage + SoilPupates in soil Generalist Fast — days Shop →
Amblyseius andersoni Predatory mite Low–Moderate OK 43–104°F / 6–40°C Foliage Generalist Medium — 1–2 wks Shop →
Aphids Multiple speciesShop all →
Aphidius colemani Parasitoid wasp Primary Tolerant — any 59–77°F / 15–25°C Foliage Specialist Medium — 1–2 wks Shop →
Aphidius ervi Parasitoid wasp Primary Tolerant — any 59–77°F / 15–25°C Foliage Specialist Medium — 1–2 wks Shop →
Aphidoletes aphidimyza Predatory midge Moderate (60–80%) 59–77°F / 15–25°C Foliage + SoilPupates in soil Specialist Medium — 1–2 wks Shop →
Adalia bipunctata Beetle larvae Tolerant — any 59–77°F / 15–25°C Foliage Specialist Fast — days Shop →
Chrysoperla carnea Lacewing larvae Tolerant — any 59–86°F / 15–30°C Foliage Generalist Fast — days Shop →
Fungus Gnats Bradysia species — larvae are the targetShop all →
Stratiolaelaps scimitus Predatory mite Primary Moderate — moist soilWon't survive in dry soil 59–86°F / 15–30°C Soil Generalist Medium — 2–3 wks Shop →
Steinernema feltiae Nematode Primary Moist soil requiredWater in thoroughly 50–77°F / 10–25°CCool temp specialist Soil Specialist Fast — 3–5 days Shop →
Dalotia coriaria Rove beetle Moderate — moist soil 59–82°F / 15–28°C Soil + FoliageHunts both layers Generalist Medium — 2–3 wks Shop →
Broad Mites Polyphagotarsonemus latusShop all →
Neoseiulus californicus Predatory mite Primary Moderate (40–70%) 54–104°F / 12–40°C Foliage Generalist Medium — 1–2 wks Shop →
Amblyseius swirskii Predatory mite Primary Moderate (60–70%) 72–95°F / 22–35°C Foliage Generalist Medium — 1–2 wks Shop →
Amblyseius andersoni Predatory mite Low–Moderate OK 43–104°F / 6–40°C Foliage Generalist Medium — 1–2 wks Shop →
Russet Mites Aculops lycopersiciShop all →
Neoseiulus californicus Predatory mite Primary Moderate (40–70%) 54–104°F / 12–40°C Foliage Generalist Slow — 3–4 wks Shop →
Amblyseius andersoni Predatory mite Primary Low–Moderate OK 43–104°F / 6–40°C Foliage Generalist Slow — 3–4 wks Shop →
Amblyseius swirskii Predatory mite Moderate (60–70%) 72–95°F / 22–35°C Foliage Generalist Slow — 3–4 wks Shop →
Mealybugs Pseudococcidae familyShop all →
Cryptolaemus montrouzieri Predatory beetle Primary Moderate (50–70%) 70–86°F / 21–30°C Foliage Specialist Slow — 3–4 wks Shop →
Chrysoperla carnea Lacewing larvae Tolerant — any 59–86°F / 15–30°C Foliage Generalist Medium — 1–2 wks Shop →
Root Rot Pythium, Fusarium & othersShop all →
Trichoderma harzianum T-22 Beneficial fungus Primary Tolerant — any 59–86°F / 15–30°C Soil / Roots Specialist Slow — 3–6 wks Shop →
Bacillus subtilis Beneficial bacteria Primary Tolerant — any 59–113°F / 15–45°C Soil / Roots Specialist Medium — 2–3 wks —
Steinernema carpocapsae Nematode Moist soil required 59–86°F / 15–30°C Soil Generalist Fast — 3–5 days Shop →

Not sure which to choose? Take the quiz →