How Do You Kill Aphids Fast? Start With This Predator.
When aphids are multiplying daily, you don’t need slow-release. You need teeth.
Aphidoletes aphidimyza arrives in its active, hunting stage—bright orange nymphs ready to paralyze and feed. Each one can take down up to 65 aphids per day, and they don’t wait. There’s no egg, no pupation delay, no warmup period. Just fast biological control that scales with the infestation.
This is the aphid destroyer you reach for when things are already underway.
Aphidoletes aphidimyza (Live Nymphs)
Fast-Acting Biological Control for Aphid Outbreaks
This bottle contains live nymph-stage predators—not pupae, not eggs, not larvae you’ll need to wait on. They’re ready to hunt the moment you release them.
Targets Over 60 Aphid Species, Including:
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Black bean aphids (Aphis fabae)
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Lettuce aphids (Nasonovia ribisnigri)
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Melon/cotton aphids (Aphis gossypii)
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Rose aphids (Macrosiphum rosae)
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Potato aphids (Macrosiphum euphorbiae)
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Cherry aphids, honeysuckle aphids, and many more
If it's a small to mid-sized aphid feeding on your plants, Aphidoletes is likely to find it and finish it.
Why Nymphs in Bottles?
| Feature | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Immediate action | Feeding begins on contact—no delay |
| No emergence period | Skips the pupation wait of traditional releases |
| Targeted application | Apply directly to infested plants |
| Visible suppression | Results in as little as 3–5 days |
| Field-tested control | Used in greenhouses, gardens, and high-density crops |
This is not a slow-burn option. It’s for growers who need visible decline, now.
How They Work
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Nymphs begin feeding immediately after release
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Each nymph injects a paralyzing toxin and consumes the aphid
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Feeding continues for 7–10 days
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Afterward, nymphs drop to the soil to pupate
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Adults emerge in 10–14 days and restart the cycle
This makes Aphidoletes both a short-term treatment and a self-renewing solution—if given the right habitat.
How Much to Use
| Use Case | Suggested Rate |
|---|---|
| General prevention | 1 nymph per 3 square feet |
| High-pressure infestation | 1,000–4,000 nymphs per acre |
| Spot treatment | Apply clusters directly to heavy aphid colonies |
Repeat weekly for 2–3 weeks, or as needed based on rebound.
Ideal Conditions
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Temperature: 50–88°F
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Humidity: Moderate to high preferred
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Habitat: Requires soil or substrate for pupation—don’t use in hydro or sterile surfaces
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Light: Prefers shaded or protected zones for release
Pro Tips for Best Results
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Release early when aphid populations are first visible
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Apply directly to infested leaves or nodes
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Do not spray—pesticide residues will kill nymphs and adults
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Leave pupation zones—bare soil, coco coir, or top dressing
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Pair with Aphidius colemani for full lifecycle coverage (predator + parasitoid)
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Monitor for the second wave—new adults will continue control in 2–3 weeks
Shipping & Storage
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Ships overnight with live delivery guarantee
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Use immediately upon arrival
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If needed, store at 50–60°F for up to 24 hours
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Do not freeze or expose to dry air or light
What You’ll Notice
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Aphids immobilized on stems or leaf undersides
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Fewer live aphids in 3–5 days
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No sticky residue or plant damage
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Midge adults appearing after 10–14 days
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A second wave of suppression—if pupation conditions are right
This is not a look-but-don’t-touch solution. This is kill-on-contact.
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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How to Treat Thrips on Plants the Right Way
Thrips may be tiny, but their impact is anything but small. These slender insects scrape open plant cells and drain them dry, leaving silvery scars, curled leaves, and sometimes even viruses in their wake. Because their life cycle spans both leaf and soil, single treatments rarely work. Instead, managing thrips requires a layered approach: mechanical suppression, targeted sprays, and—most effectively—beneficial predators that disrupt every stage of their development.
