Predatory Mites - Understanding the Swirski Mite

[@MySustainabilityJourney]

Have you used Swirski Mites before? Do you have any questions about these predatory mites or beneficial insects? Leave a comment and I'll get back to you 🌱

[@jwamiza]

Hi. Just wondering about the risk of Swirski Mites being invasive in this area.

[@MySustainabilityJourney]

@@jwamiza thanks for your comment! I highly doubt they would become invasive because they only eat a selection of pests and then turn to pollen and nectar for additional nutrients if the pests are minimal. Do you an idea of how you would see them possibly becoming invasive? I would love to hear your view 🌱

[@patience9323]

for spider mites you want p. persimillis not swirski

[@MySustainabilityJourney]

@@patience9323 they seemed to hve worked really well for me...

[@joroetsartist3212]

Thanks for this video. I did not know about this. Where in Cape Town did you buy your mites?

[@MySustainabilityJourney]

Hey Jo, it is only a pleasure and I'm so glad you found value in it 😁 sure thing, it is Field Bugs and my contact there is Lydia (082 852 6286) 🌱

[@joroetsartist3212]

@@MySustainabilityJourney thank you 🙂 happy gardening! The weather has been wonderful. Not as windy as usual

[@catherinegibson7830]

Do these mites work for mielie bug? I’m having difficulty with my Hoya and neem oil isn’t working very well. Also how about aphids on roses?

[@MySustainabilityJourney]

Hey Catherine, although the Swirski mites will go for most soft bodied insects it's main meal is thripes, whitefly and mites. For aphids it's best to get those ladybugs, parasitic wasps and dragonflies into the garden. Then, for mealy bugs it's best to just spray 70% alcohol spray on them as they are easy to spot and don't invade entire plants like aphids. I am not sure about your growing environment but it's always best to try, if at all possible, to get the natural predators into the garden to keep your plants safe and sound 🌱

[@patience9323]

@@MySustainabilityJourney rove beetles

[@raylordofkhalah28]

i have a quick question. Do they possibly attack mealworms? (they are larger than most of the prey listed), as it would actually be good to hear that they DONT attack them! grain mites have been an infestation for my mealworm farm and if Swirski can actually kill off the grain mites without attacking the mealworms that would make these perfect for my problems

[@MySustainabilityJourney]

Good question! I'll straight up stay I don't know, BUT... They eat aphids, which are tiny and very soft bodied. Meal worms are huge in comparison so in my opinion I would say no, but I'm no zoologist or scientist so I might be wrong 🌻