What eats spider mites? There are a number of beneficial insects that eat spider mites. These include predatory mites like Phytoseiulus persimilis, Amblyseius californicus, and Amblyseius andersoni. Large hard-bodied insects like Stethorus punctillum beetles also eat spider mites, and they are widely used in both indoor and outdoor integrated pest management systems.
What Eats Spider Mites
Phytoseiulus persimilis
Phytoseiulus persimilis (Buy Online) is a predatory mite that’s commonly used to control spider mites in greenhouses and indoor grow rooms. This small mite is similar in size to its prey, but it has an oblong pear-shaped body that’s bright orange in color.
Phytoseiulus persimilis feeds exclusively on spider mites and it can consume 2 to 3 spider mites or 12 to 24 spider mite eggs each day. They prefer to be kept at a relative humidity that ranges from 60% to 90%, and they can tolerate hot temperatures as long as they are kept at humidity levels towards the upper end of that range.
Phytoseiulus persimilis are primarily released to control Tetranychus spp. spider mites, which includes the two-spotted spider mite and the Pacific Spider mite.
Amblyseius californicus
Amblyseius californicus (Buy Online) is a predatory mite that is used to naturally control spider mite infestations. They have oval shape bodies and they are slightly translucent and they range in color from orange to light pink. Females are generally larger than males 0.1mm (0.0004 inches) and they lay small white football-shaped eggs that measure 0.04 mm (0.00016 inches).
Amblyseius californicus primarily feed on spider mites, but they can also eat pollen when they run out of spider mite prey. They are also more tolerant of high temperatures and lower humidity levels, which makes them well suited for use outdoors and in grow tents.
Amblyseius californicus will feed on the most common Tetranychus spp. spider mite species. In addition, they can consume other mite species including Aculus schlechtendali, Oligonychus pratensis Polyphagotarsonemus (Stenotarsonemus) latus Banks (broad mite), and Phytonemus pallidus L. (cyclamen mite).
Amblyseius andersoni
Amblyseius andersoni is a versatile predatory mite that’s found throughout most of the northern hemisphere. They also have a light pink to an orange oblong body like most Amblyseius species,
Amblyseius andersoni is a generalist and it will prey on a number of different spider mite species. They are more tolerant of cold climates, and they can remain active in temperatures as low as 43 to 47 Fahrenheit (6.11 to 8.33 C).
Amblyseius andersoni feed on most spider mite species including twospotted spider mites, Pacific mites, brown mites, apple rust mites, and cyclamen mites. They can also be used in conjunction with pesticides when released outdoors as part of an integrated pest management system.
Stethorus punctillum
Stethorus punctillum is a medium-sized beetle that feeds on multiple spider mite species. They have small oval-shaped black hairy bodies with yellow antenna and light brown legs. Stethorus punctillum adults generally range in size from 2 to 3 millimeters (0.08 to 0.12 in), and they weigh 400 to 500 mg (0.014 to 0.018 oz)
Stethorus punctillum can eat up to 20 to 40 adult spider mites per day, and adult Stethorus punctillum beetles can eat hundreds of spider mite eggs daily. They are also able to tolerate humidity levels that range from 30 to 90% RH, and they can survive in temperatures that range from 67 to 100 Fahrenheit (19.4 to 37.8 C).
Stethorus punctillum will prey on the most common spider mite species like the two-spotted spider mite and other mites in the family Tetranychidae. They will also feed on red mites, spruce spider mites, and southern red mites.
Stethorus pusillus
Stethorus pusillus is also know as the ‘Spider Mite Destroyer’ and it’s actually just another name used to classify the Stethorus punctillum beetle. We included this Stethorus naming variant here just to clarify that Stethorus punctillum and Stethorus pusillus are the same insect species.
Spider Mite Predators
| Image | Name | Rating | Shop |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Nature’s Good Guys 2,000 Live Adult Predatory Mites P. persimilis |  | |
 | Nature’s Good Guys Live Amblyseius Cucumeris | | |
 | 2,000 Live Adult Predatory Mites – A Mix of Predatory Mite Species | |
What Eats Spider Mites- Live Predator Mites
Bug Sales 5,000 Live Adult Predatory Mites
Bug Sales Live Adult Predatory Mites (Buy Online) is a blend of the best predatory mites for your greenhouse, garden, or grow room. This package of 5,000 live predatory mites includes a custom blend of the most effective spider mite control species including P. persimilis, A.cucumeris, A.swirskii, N.californicus
Nature’s Good Guys 2,000 Live Adult Predatory Mites Packed in a 16 oz Container – P. persimilis
Nature’s Good Guys Live Adult Predatory Mites (Buy Online) can be used to control two-spotted spider mites. This bottle of 2,000 P. persimilis predator mites is most effective when used in greenhouses with high relative humidity levels and temperatures that reach up to 90 Fahrenheit.
Nature’s Good Guys 10 X 1,000 Live Neoseiulus Amblyseius Cucumeris
Nature’s Good Guys Live Neoseiulus Amblyseius Cucumeris (Buy Online) is one of the best outdoor predatory mite species. This spider mite control kit includes 10 spider mite predator sachets that each contain 1,000 Amblyseius Cucumeris.
2,000 Live Adult Predatory Mites – A Mix of Predatory Mite Species
This Predatory Mite Blend (Buy Online) is a low-cost mix of the most effective predatory mite species. This bottle of live spider mite predators contains 2,000 P.persimilis, N.californicus, A.cucumeris, A.swirsk
Spider Mite Spray for Indoor Plants
Mite Massacre 8 oz. Spider Mite Killer and Powdery Mildew Fighter
Mite Massacre (Buy Online) is an all-natural spider mite spray for indoor plants. This spray is made from soybean oil, sodium lauryl sulfate, potassium, Isopropyl alcohol, sodium citrate, and citric acid.
This spray works by suffocating spider mites and other insects like fungus gnats, aphids, and thrips. You can use it to treat houseplants since it’s safe to spray indoors, and it can also be used in the garden since it’s 100% safe to use on food crops.
Bonide (BND285) – Mite-X
Bonide Mite-X (Buy Online) is a powerful insecticide spray that can be used to control a spider mite infestation. This spray is made from natural ingredients (Cottonseed Oil, Clove Oil, Garlic Extract, And Other Botanical Extracts). And it’s safe to use on vegetables, fruits, nuts, berries, herbs, and houseplants.
Grower’s Ally Spider Mite Control | 32 fl oz
Grower’s Ally Spider Mite Control (Buy Online) kills spider mites naturally using a special blend of botanical oils (Rosemary Oil, Clove Oil, and Peppermint Oil). These oils work by overstimulating a spider mite’s nervous system, and the oils will also suffocate spider mites by blocking their spiracles.
Trifecta Crop Control
Trifecta Crop Control (Buy Online) is a non-toxic spider mite control spray that also stops the spread of mold and mildew. The main active ingredients in Trifecta Crop Control include Thyme Oil, Clove Oil, Peppermint Oil, and Garlic Oil.
Growers Trust Spider Mite Killer Non-toxic, Biodegradable
Growers Trust Spider Mite Killer (Buy Online) is a biodegradable spider mite spray. This natural spider mite killer contains geraniol, peppermint, and cottonseed oil.
Growers Trust Spider Mite Killer is also highly concentrated and each 8-ounce bottle can make up to 1 gallon of diluted spider mite spray.
Hydrofarm NPK Industries Mighty Spider and Mite Control Insecticide
Hydrofarm NPK Industries Mighty Spider and Mite Control (Buy Online) is a powerful insecticide that kills spider mites and their eggs. This spider mite spray contains fast-acting pyrethrins that kill a wide range of insects.
Care should be taken when using pyrethrin since it is a highly toxic regulated pesticide. However, if you need a spider mite spray to control an intractable spider mite infestation then NPK Industries Mighty Spider Mite Killer might be your only hope to keep spider mites at bay.
