Amblyseius andersoni

Regular price $60.00

3 reviews
While uncommon, order processing can take up to 7 days depending on hatching rates and life stages.
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Amblyseius andersoni

At A Glance

Amblyseius andersoni is a versatile, hardy predatory mite known for its incredible temperature tolerance. Unlike many beneficials that require a "perfect" environment, Andersoni is active from early spring through late fall. It is a "generalist" hunter, meaning it doesn't just wait for one type of pest—it actively patrols your plants for a wide variety of mites and thrips larvae.

  • Scientific Name: Amblyseius andersoni

  • Primary Target: Spider Mites, Broad Mites, and Russet Mites.

  • Secondary Targets: Thrips larvae, Whitefly eggs, and Apple Rust Mites.

  • Key Advantage: Extreme temperature resilience. It remains active in both chilly spring mornings and the peak heat of summer.

Target Pests

Andersoni is a foundational predator that prevents pest populations from reaching "outbreak" levels:

  • Two-Spotted Spider Mites: Effective at hunting colonies on a wide range of host plants.
  • Microscopic Mites: Specifically targets Broad Mites and Hemp Russet Mites that are too small for other predators to see.
  • Thrips Larvae: Consumes first-stage thrips larvae as they hatch on the leaf surface.
  • Pollen: Can survive on pollen alone, allowing it to stay on the plant as a preventative "shield" even when pests are absent.
Environmental Needs

This mite is the gold standard for versatility. It is the most resilient mite in our catalog for fluctuating environments.

  • Temperature Range: 43F to 100F. While it is most active between 65F and 85F, it will not die off during temporary cold snaps or high-heat spikes.
  • Humidity: Performs best at 60% to 70% RH, but it is more tolerant of dry air than Amblyseius swirskii.
  • Day Length: Not affected by shorter days, meaning it will not go into "hibernation" (diapause) in winter indoor grows or fall outdoor seasons.

Selection Guide

Andersoni vs. Californicus: Both handle heat well, but choose Andersoni if you are starting early in the season or have cooler nights, as it handles cold much better than Californicus.

The Greenhouse Choice: If your greenhouse temps swing wildly from day to night, choose Andersoni. It is the most stable "set-it-and-forget-it" predator for variable climates.

Prevention Specialist: Because it can eat pollen, choose Andersoni to release early in the season. It will live on your plants and "wait" for the first spider mites to arrive.

How to Use

The Gentle Tumble
Before opening the bottle, gently rotate it end-over-end to ensure the mites are evenly distributed within the carrier material.

Application

  • Leaf Broadcast: Sprinkle the material directly onto the foliage. Focus on the upper third of the plant where new growth is occurring.
  • Release Boxes: For plants with sticky flowers or high resin, use hanging release boxes to prevent the carrier from sticking to your harvest.

Dosing Rates

  • Preventative: 1,000 mites per 100 sq. ft. every 4 weeks.
  • Active Infestation: 2,000 to 5,000 mites per 100 sq. ft. Repeat every 14 days until pests are controlled.

How They're Shipped

Release Timing: For maximum impact, release Andersoni within 24 hours of delivery.

Storage: If you must wait, keep the bottle horizontal in a cool, dark place (50F to 60F). Do not refrigerate.

The "Invisible Army" Note: These mites are tiny (about 0.5mm) and pale in color. They are very difficult to see without a magnifying glass as they hide under leaves and in flower sites.

When Your Order Arrives

Deploy day, and the weeks after.

How to deploy your order, and how to read the results over the next few weeks.

  1. 01

    Open the box right away

    Bring the package indoors as soon as it arrives. Don't leave it on a hot porch, in a cold mailbox, or in direct sun. If you can't deploy immediately, set the bottle somewhere room-temperature (60–75°F) and out of direct light — it'll keep for a day or two.

  2. 02

    Let the bottle rest 15 minutes

    Mites huddle in transit for warmth. Set the bottle somewhere room-temperature for fifteen minutes before you open it — this lets them spread back through the carrier and warm up before deployment.

  3. 03

    You probably won't see them

    Predatory mites are smaller than a grain of salt — most people can't spot them with the naked eye, and phone cameras can't focus close enough to catch them. That's expected. What you can check: the carrier material should look dry and uniform, the bottle should be intact, and there shouldn't be any sour smell or visible mold.

  4. 04

    Deploy the same day

    Apply in the evening or on a cloudy day to avoid UV exposure. For pests on the plant — spider mites, thrips, broad mites — sprinkle the carrier material directly onto leaves and stems where damage is visible. For soil-dwelling pests like fungus gnats, sprinkle onto the top inch of soil and lightly water afterward to help the mites settle into the medium. Either way, spread across plants instead of piling in one spot. See the product description for species-specific dosing.

  5. 05

    Watch your plants over 1–2 weeks

    The real "are they working" check isn't visual — it's whether your pest population drops. Bottled treatments typically show measurable reduction in spider mites, thrips, or other targets within one to two weeks. If pest pressure isn't easing by then, that's when to email us.

Something visibly wrong on arrival?

Crushed packaging, sour smell, mold, or a soaked carrier — take a photo and email info@fgmnnursery.com within 24 hours of delivery with your order number. We'll replace or refund without question.

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FAQ

What is your Live Delivery Guarantee?

We guarantee that your beneficial insects will arrive healthy and ready to work. Because we are shipping live organisms, we use packaging and expedited shipping to ensure their safety. In the rare event that your order is compromised during transit, please take a photo of the package and contact us within 24 hours of delivery so we can make it right.

Can I use Andersoni outdoors?

Yes! It is one of the best mites for outdoor orchards, vineyards, and gardens because it can handle wind and temperature changes.

Will they eat my plants?

No. They are strictly predators and do not damage plant tissue.

Can I use them with other mites?

Yes. They work perfectly alongside Swirskii or Persimilis to provide a multi-layered defense.

How long do they live?

Adults live for about 3 weeks, but if food is present, they will breed and establish a permanent population.

Does Andersoni work on Aphids?

No. While they may eat a very young aphid occasionally, they are not an effective control for aphid outbreaks.

Is it safe for my pets?

Yes. These mites are harmless to humans, dogs, cats, and other animals.

Help! I'm overwhelmed

Yeah, it's a lot the first time you're using predatory mites. Please email us at info@fgmnnursery.com and we'll be happy to help!

I don’t see anything moving in my bottle or sachet. Does that mean they’re dead?

Not at all! In fact, go ahead and deploy them.

Predatory mites are microscopic (often less than 0.5mm) and naturally blend into their carrier medium (bran or vermiculite).

  • For Bottles: The mites often huddle in the center of the bottle for insulation during transit.
  • For Sachets: These are "slow-release" nurseries. The mites stay tucked deep inside the breeding media and emerge one by one over 2–4 weeks. Seeing an "empty-looking" sachet or bottle is not proof of a loss; it is simply how they are packaged for maximum survival.