Predator Mites....who has the best??

[mojave green]

 

[Mikell]

I would bet you can buy bee pollen from an apiary, or a honeybee supply store, that sounds like a great idea too me, I definitely was kicking the idea around of rearing my own predator mites. Finding tons of info is difficult though. I would imagine if you could keep colonies, and just keep propagating them, then you could use them at will.

I posted a guide to rearing S. scimitus in one of Seafour's (there is one for each main beneficial) threads or the like in the Organic subforum. I can't recall exactly (if that was not clear..), but if it isn't obvious I can repost or send it along.

If you can sign up to ResearchGate, do. There is much information there. You can also speak directly to anyone in the field (or any other field), from the lead researcher at Biobest to some of the dopes that more or less just sweep the floor, that is capable of navigating a computer and wants to be on FaceNerd.

Or just google "mass rearing" and the species you are interested in. Terminology is key, but you will still want to pull the pubic hair from the tools that programmed Google Scholar to always give the least relevant result. That is probably my own error. Failure projection.

Prey rearing looked to be the bitch. You either gamble with TSSM (a gamble in whether you have the anal nature to take the proper precautions) and other target pest or feed them inferior prey (dust mites or the like).

I would say, it is a consuming process that will take up much of your time and run an ongoing and considerable expense. I have yet to start, but for just that reasoning. The amount of book work alone is daunting and I spend an inordinate amount of time researching by habit.


Sourcing cat tail pollen is also an issue. Mention to any supplier what your intention is and they will typically reply that many others tried and failed before you. I have yet to determine the factor. Pesticide contamination, whether intentional (one would think a fungicide in that case) or not, may be the issue but that is a wild guess. There is likely a more apparent issue if one had the relevant experience.

The asshole inside thinks they say that for nefarious reasons, but that's just it would have entered my mind that I could grease up suppliers to throw others off the scent of anything but my 500$/lb mite food.

But if you are interested, I can bury you in what I have and if that doesn't deter you, you'll know enough to out talk me, anyone else on a doober forum and find your own direction.

To go to Wageningen and see the sights. That would be something.

 

[Bubbamaniac]

I just received 25,0000 swirski mites from koppert in slow release sachets, upon inspecting them on arrival there were plenty of dead ones on the outside I was a bit displeased!

 

[Revolutionary9]

I get mine from Benemite.com aka biotactics they are the cheapest i've found and they work great. They all arrive alive and healthy even without overnight shipping. Im not a sales rep btw lol just a happy customer