Your Dovebug red spider mite control pack contains predatory mite to give you good control. Apply the mites as soon as you see the first signs of red spider mites. Dovebugs can be used outside providing the temperature is high enough, but control of the pest is less effective on outdoor crops. One pack is sufficient to treat a greenhouse or conservatory up to 100ft2 (12ft x 8ft) or 10m2 (4m x 2.5m). If you have used any pesticides in your greenhouse/conservatory, other than insecticidal soap, prior to introduction, we recommend that you wait 4 weeks to avoid any problems. Do not store Dovebugs in a refrigerator or freezer. Apply them as soon as you receive the package.
Remember that biological control works on the principle of using natural enemies, thus the presence of the pest in small quantities is essential for the predator to survive. A minimum day temperature of 12°C (55°F) and a maximum of 30°C (86°F) is needed for the predator so you would normally apply them during the months of April through to September.
The parasite mite Phytoseiulus persimilis is a small mite the same size as red spider mites. The mite is extremely active and is light red in colour. The reproductive rate of the predator is much faster than red spider mites, laying around 20 eggs in an average period of 5 to 20 days, depending on the temperature in your greenhouse/conservatory and eating 5 adults and 20 eggs of red spider mites.
Shake out the contents of the packet over the plants where the red spider mites are present. The density of the plants is important and the best spread is obtained when plants touch each other and the predator can move from plant to plant. If you have specific plants that require treatment, make sure that you apply the Dovebugs to each plant, not just one. Red spider predators tend to move down the plant rather than up, so shake the contents over the top of the plant. If the weather turns very hot they may not stay in the tops of the plants. Shade the house and keep the humidity buoyant to ensure good activity in hot periods.
Further supplies can be obtained from your local garden centre. If you need any technical help or advice on Dovebugs, you can contact us direct at: