Using Beneficial Bugs for Pest Management

Using Beneficial Insects for Pest Management

At Logee’s, we have turned our attention to using beneficial insects, or known in the industry as IPM (integrated pest management). Today’s post is about treating for Western Flower Thrip. Western Flower Thrip is a prevalent pest in most garden centers and seen on outdoor plants. We recently had an outbreak in our 19,000 sq. foot production greenhouse and this is what we did.

What are predatory mites?

Predatory mites are beneficial arthropods widely used in biological pest control programs, particularly in agricultural and horticultural settings. These tiny arachnids, typically measuring 0.5-2mm in length, feed on various pest species including spider mites, thrips, aphids, and other small insects that damage crops and ornamental plants.

1,000 Sachets of Beneficial Bugs (predatory mites)

Packets with stakes through them containing predatory mites, beneficial insects in bags — Each Sachet has 500 adult mites

Commonly used beneficial insects

The most commonly used species include Phytoseiulus persimilis for spider mite control, Neoseiulus californicus for broader pest management, and Amblyseius swirskii for thrips and whitefly control. These mites are valued for their ability to establish sustainable populations in crops, providing ongoing pest suppression without the need for repeated chemical applications.

Swirskii-Breeding-System Bag Up Close — Swirskii-Breeding-System will slow release 500 bugs every week for 4 weeks

Advantages of Predatory Mites

Key advantages include their specificity to pest species, ability to reproduce and establish resident populations, compatibility with many biological control agents, and minimal impact on beneficial insects like pollinators. They're particularly effective in greenhouse production, nurseries, and organic farming systems where sustainable pest control is prioritized.

Applying Predatory Mites

Predatory mites are typically released as adults or mixed life stages on carrier materials like vermiculite or directly on plant foliage. They work best in moderate temperatures (65-85°F) with adequate humidity levels. Their use reduces reliance on pesticides, supports integrated pest management strategies, and helps maintain ecological balance in growing environments.

Variegated Vanilla with Beneficial Insect Sachet, Predatory mites on Vanilla Plant — A sachet among the variegated vanilla crop which covers a 10 sqft area

Philodendron Gloriosum with beneficial insect bags, Predatory mites on Philodendron Gloriosum — The large leaved Philodendron Gloriosum hides the bags

Alocasia Zebrina with beneficial insect bags, Predatory mites on Alocasia Zebrina — Alocasia Zebrina has attractive striped stems

Philodendron Autmn with beneficial insect bags, Predatory mites on Philodendron Autmn — Philodendron Autumn shows off its colorful leaves

Sand-like material housing beneficial bugs on hibiscus leaf — Hibiscus leaf with sand-like material housing the beneficial insects

Using Beneficial Insects at Home

The home gardener can treat thrip, spider mite and white fly with predatory pests. I’m one of those gardeners that like convenience. For the past three years I’ve treated all my indoor plants with predatory insects and after two applications each year, I easily solve the problem.

The bugs for the home gardener come in tubes. Simply sprinkle the bugs, packing material and all on your indoor plant’s leaves. The bedding or sand-like substance in the tube is what carries the beneficials. It looks like sand on your leaves but is necessary so the beneficial insects can crawl out of their packing material and onto the leaves to find and consume the bad bugs.