{"product_id":"stratiolaelaps-scimitus","title":"Stratiolaelaps scimitus","description":"\u003cp\u003eLittle black flies rising off the soil when you water — that is fungus gnats, and the larvae doing the damage are down in the top inch of the pot. \u003cem\u003eStratiolaelaps scimitus\u003c\/em\u003e, still widely sold as \u003cem\u003eHypoaspis miles\u003c\/em\u003e, is the soil mite that patrols that layer and eats them, along with the thrips pupae that have dropped off the leaves.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhat separates it from every other soil answer is that it does not need a pest to stay alive. It feeds on debris, algae and whatever else is in the substrate, so it holds for weeks with nothing to hunt — which makes it the one you put in and forget about. In a bioactive terrarium or a permanent bed with living soil it establishes and persists for months or years, quietly preventing the problem instead of responding to it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAnd it takes about a minute to deploy. Nothing to mix, nothing to spray, no residue and no re-entry interval — you moisten the substrate, tumble the container to mix the mites through the carrier, top-dress about a teaspoon at each stem base and leave it. No drench schedule, no timing against a life cycle, and nothing a gnat larva can develop resistance to. Safe around people, cats, dogs, plants, and all reptiles and amphibians.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is also the answer for snake mites in reptile enclosures, where it attacks them in the bedding they breed in rather than on the animal.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBest for:\u003c\/strong\u003e Preventing fungus gnats, holding ground after a knockdown, and snake mites in reptile bedding. 59–86°F, in substrate that is slightly moist — not bone dry, not saturated.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow many:\u003c\/strong\u003e Sizes go by plant count, at roughly a teaspoon of carrier per plant at the stem base. Top-dress and leave the carrier in place. In sterile mix, plan on re-applying every 6–8 weeks if you are holding ground; in living soil it will usually carry itself.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eArrives as:\u003c\/strong\u003e A bottle or tube of loose mites — adults, nymphs and eggs — through a sphagnum moss carrier. Tumble it for 20–30 seconds to mix them through. Deploy on arrival; there is no holding option.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrganic:\u003c\/strong\u003e Allowed in certified organic production — releasing predators is a first-line pest control practice under the USDA National Organic Program (7 CFR 205.206(b)(1)), with no input approval needed. Record the release in your Organic System Plan.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSafe around:\u003c\/strong\u003e People, cats, dogs, plants, and all reptiles and amphibians.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKeep separate from:\u003c\/strong\u003e Springtails — \u003cem\u003escimitus\u003c\/em\u003e preys on them, so if a pot is running a springtail culture, keep the two apart. And diatomaceous earth, which slices beneficial mites as readily as pests.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNot for:\u003c\/strong\u003e Anything on the foliage. This is a ground predator, and carrier dusted on leaves is carrier wasted. Not a fast cure either — against a heavy active infestation, Sf nematodes knock the larvae down faster.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"background:#F6F4F1;border:1px solid #E7E4DF;padding:30px 32px 8px;margin:36px 0;font-family:'DM Sans',-apple-system,BlinkMacSystemFont,'Segoe UI',sans-serif;font-size:14.5px;line-height:1.6;color:#2E3A26\"\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:9px;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:.22em;text-transform:uppercase;color:#6A6A63;margin:0 0 6px\"\u003eField Notes\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"font-family:'Instrument Serif',Georgia,serif;font-size:27px;font-weight:400;line-height:1.15;color:#1A2810;margin:0 0 4px\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eStratiolaelaps scimitus\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:13px;color:#6A6A63;margin:0 0 4px\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:9px;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:.22em;text-transform:uppercase;color:#1A2810;margin:26px 0 2px;padding-top:14px;border-top:2px solid #E07D5A;display:inline-block\"\u003eThe beneficial\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"display:flex;flex-wrap:wrap;gap:4px 20px;padding:11px 0;border-bottom:1px solid #E7E4DF\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"flex:0 0 148px;font-size:11px;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:.08em;text-transform:uppercase;color:#6A6A63;line-height:1.5;padding-top:2px\"\u003eSpecies\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"flex:1 1 280px\"\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eStratiolaelaps scimitus\u003c\/em\u003e (formerly \u003cem\u003eHypoaspis miles\u003c\/em\u003e)\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"display:flex;flex-wrap:wrap;gap:4px 20px;padding:11px 0;border-bottom:1px solid #E7E4DF\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"flex:0 0 148px;font-size:11px;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:.08em;text-transform:uppercase;color:#6A6A63;line-height:1.5;padding-top:2px\"\u003eCommon name\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"flex:1 1 280px\"\u003eSoil-dwelling predatory mite\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"display:flex;flex-wrap:wrap;gap:4px 20px;padding:11px 0;border-bottom:1px solid #E7E4DF\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"flex:0 0 148px;font-size:11px;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:.08em;text-transform:uppercase;color:#6A6A63;line-height:1.5;padding-top:2px\"\u003eType\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"flex:1 1 280px\"\u003ePredatory mite — generalist predator of soft-bodied pests in soil and substrate\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"display:flex;flex-wrap:wrap;gap:4px 20px;padding:11px 0;border-bottom:1px solid #E7E4DF\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"flex:0 0 148px;font-size:11px;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:.08em;text-transform:uppercase;color:#6A6A63;line-height:1.5;padding-top:2px\"\u003eSize\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"flex:1 1 280px\"\u003eVery small. Tan-colored specks, fast-moving; to see them, tip a little carrier onto white paper and use a magnifier\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"display:flex;flex-wrap:wrap;gap:4px 20px;padding:11px 0;border-bottom:1px solid #E7E4DF\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"flex:0 0 148px;font-size:11px;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:.08em;text-transform:uppercase;color:#6A6A63;line-height:1.5;padding-top:2px\"\u003eHow it works\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"flex:1 1 280px\"\u003ePatrols the top inch of the media, eating fungus gnat larvae and thrips pupae. In reptile enclosures it attacks snake mites in the bedding where they breed, breaking the life cycle\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:9px;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:.22em;text-transform:uppercase;color:#1A2810;margin:26px 0 2px;padding-top:14px;border-top:2px solid #E07D5A;display:inline-block\"\u003eWhat it eats\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"display:flex;flex-wrap:wrap;gap:4px 20px;padding:11px 0;border-bottom:1px solid #E7E4DF\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"flex:0 0 148px;font-size:11px;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:.08em;text-transform:uppercase;color:#6A6A63;line-height:1.5;padding-top:2px\"\u003eHunts\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"flex:1 1 280px;font-weight:500;color:#1A2810\"\u003eSnake mites (\u003cem\u003eOphionyssus natricis\u003c\/em\u003e), fungus gnat larvae (\u003cem\u003eBradysia\u003c\/em\u003e spp.) and thrips pupae\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"display:flex;flex-wrap:wrap;gap:4px 20px;padding:11px 0;border-bottom:1px solid #E7E4DF\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"flex:0 0 148px;font-size:11px;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:.08em;text-transform:uppercase;color:#6A6A63;line-height:1.5;padding-top:2px\"\u003eBest against\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"flex:1 1 280px;font-weight:500;color:#1A2810\"\u003ePreventing fungus gnats in plants, and snake mites in reptile enclosures\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"display:flex;flex-wrap:wrap;gap:4px 20px;padding:11px 0;border-bottom:1px solid #E7E4DF\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"flex:0 0 148px;font-size:11px;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:.08em;text-transform:uppercase;color:#6A6A63;line-height:1.5;padding-top:2px\"\u003eAlso eats\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"flex:1 1 280px\"\u003eSpringtails, root aphids, bulb mites, poultry mites\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"display:flex;flex-wrap:wrap;gap:4px 20px;padding:11px 0;border-bottom:1px solid #E7E4DF\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"flex:0 0 148px;font-size:11px;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:.08em;text-transform:uppercase;color:#6A6A63;line-height:1.5;padding-top:2px\"\u003eEats opportunistically\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"flex:1 1 280px\"\u003eDebris, algae and other soil organisms — it will hold for weeks with no pest present at all, which is why it suits bioactive setups\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"display:flex;flex-wrap:wrap;gap:4px 20px;padding:11px 0;border-bottom:1px solid #E7E4DF\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"flex:0 0 148px;font-size:11px;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:.08em;text-transform:uppercase;color:#6A6A63;line-height:1.5;padding-top:2px\"\u003eWon't touch\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"flex:1 1 280px;font-weight:500;color:#1A2810\"\u003ePests on foliage. This is a ground predator — carrier dusted on leaves is carrier wasted\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:9px;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:.22em;text-transform:uppercase;color:#1A2810;margin:26px 0 2px;padding-top:14px;border-top:2px solid #E07D5A;display:inline-block\"\u003eWhat arrives\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"display:flex;flex-wrap:wrap;gap:4px 20px;padding:11px 0;border-bottom:1px solid #E7E4DF\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"flex:0 0 148px;font-size:11px;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:.08em;text-transform:uppercase;color:#6A6A63;line-height:1.5;padding-top:2px\"\u003eFormat\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"flex:1 1 280px\"\u003eBottle or tube of loose mites through a carrier medium\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"display:flex;flex-wrap:wrap;gap:4px 20px;padding:11px 0;border-bottom:1px solid #E7E4DF\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"flex:0 0 148px;font-size:11px;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:.08em;text-transform:uppercase;color:#6A6A63;line-height:1.5;padding-top:2px\"\u003eShips as\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"flex:1 1 280px\"\u003eLoose mites — a mix of adults, nymphs and eggs\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:9px;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:.22em;text-transform:uppercase;color:#1A2810;margin:26px 0 2px;padding-top:14px;border-top:2px solid #E07D5A;display:inline-block\"\u003eWhere it works\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"display:flex;flex-wrap:wrap;gap:4px 20px;padding:11px 0;border-bottom:1px solid #E7E4DF\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"flex:0 0 148px;font-size:11px;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:.08em;text-transform:uppercase;color:#6A6A63;line-height:1.5;padding-top:2px\"\u003eOptimal temp\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"flex:1 1 280px;font-weight:500;color:#1A2810\"\u003eActive between 59°F and 86°F\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"display:flex;flex-wrap:wrap;gap:4px 20px;padding:11px 0;border-bottom:1px solid #E7E4DF\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"flex:0 0 148px;font-size:11px;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:.08em;text-transform:uppercase;color:#6A6A63;line-height:1.5;padding-top:2px\"\u003eHumidity\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"flex:1 1 280px;font-weight:500;color:#1A2810\"\u003eSlightly humid substrate. Not bone-dry, not saturated\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"display:flex;flex-wrap:wrap;gap:4px 20px;padding:11px 0;border-bottom:1px solid #E7E4DF\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"flex:0 0 148px;font-size:11px;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:.08em;text-transform:uppercase;color:#6A6A63;line-height:1.5;padding-top:2px\"\u003eEstablishes\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"flex:1 1 280px;font-weight:500;color:#1A2810\"\u003eYes in bioactive terrariums and permanent beds with organic soil, where they can breed and persist for months or years. In potted plants with sterile soil they may die out once the pests are gone\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:9px;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:.22em;text-transform:uppercase;color:#1A2810;margin:26px 0 2px;padding-top:14px;border-top:2px solid #E07D5A;display:inline-block\"\u003eRunning it\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"display:flex;flex-wrap:wrap;gap:4px 20px;padding:11px 0;border-bottom:1px solid #E7E4DF\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"flex:0 0 148px;font-size:11px;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:.08em;text-transform:uppercase;color:#6A6A63;line-height:1.5;padding-top:2px\"\u003eDeploy\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"flex:1 1 280px\"\u003eOn arrival — loose mites are not a product you can hold for a week. Moisten the substrate, then rotate and tumble the container for 20–30 seconds to mix the mites through the carrier\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"display:flex;flex-wrap:wrap;gap:4px 20px;padding:11px 0;border-bottom:1px solid #E7E4DF\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"flex:0 0 148px;font-size:11px;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:.08em;text-transform:uppercase;color:#6A6A63;line-height:1.5;padding-top:2px\"\u003ePlacement\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"flex:1 1 280px;font-weight:500;color:#1A2810\"\u003eOnto the soil or substrate surface, roughly 1 tsp per plant at the stem base; for reptiles, poured over the substrate or bedding. Top-dress, do not water in. Leave the carrier in place. They need a substrate to burrow in — on paper towels or bare glass they dehydrate\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"display:flex;flex-wrap:wrap;gap:4px 20px;padding:11px 0;border-bottom:1px solid #E7E4DF\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"flex:0 0 148px;font-size:11px;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:.08em;text-transform:uppercase;color:#6A6A63;line-height:1.5;padding-top:2px\"\u003eReplace\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"flex:1 1 280px\"\u003eWhere they cannot establish — potted plants in sterile soil, temporary setups — re-apply every 6–8 weeks for prevention\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"display:flex;flex-wrap:wrap;gap:4px 20px;padding:11px 0;border-bottom:1px solid #E7E4DF\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"flex:0 0 148px;font-size:11px;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:.08em;text-transform:uppercase;color:#6A6A63;line-height:1.5;padding-top:2px\"\u003eRefrigerate\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"flex:1 1 280px;font-weight:500;color:#1A2810\"\u003eNo. If you must hold them, store horizontally in a cool dark place at 50–60°F for up to 24 hours\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"display:flex;flex-wrap:wrap;gap:4px 20px;padding:11px 0;border-bottom:1px solid #E7E4DF\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"flex:0 0 148px;font-size:11px;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:.08em;text-transform:uppercase;color:#6A6A63;line-height:1.5;padding-top:2px\"\u003eCompatible with\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"flex:1 1 280px\"\u003eBeneficial nematodes — nematodes work the larvae deeper in the pot while \u003cem\u003escimitus\u003c\/em\u003e works the surface, and they do not interfere with each other. Generally compatible with \u003cem\u003eBacillus thuringiensis\u003c\/em\u003e (Mosquito Bits\/Dunks) if applied carefully\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"display:flex;flex-wrap:wrap;gap:4px 20px;padding:11px 0;border-bottom:1px solid #E7E4DF\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"flex:0 0 148px;font-size:11px;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:.08em;text-transform:uppercase;color:#6A6A63;line-height:1.5;padding-top:2px\"\u003eKeep separate from\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"flex:1 1 280px;font-weight:500;color:#1A2810\"\u003eDiatomaceous earth — a mechanical killer that slices beneficial mites as readily as pests. Rove beetles (\u003cem\u003eDalotia\u003c\/em\u003e) are a trade-off: they compete with and eat \u003cem\u003escimitus\u003c\/em\u003e to a degree, though commercial programs run both anyway. Springtails — \u003cem\u003escimitus\u003c\/em\u003e preys on them, so if you are running a springtail culture in a pot, keep the two in separate pots\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"display:flex;flex-wrap:wrap;gap:4px 20px;padding:11px 0;border-bottom:1px solid #E7E4DF\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"flex:0 0 148px;font-size:11px;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:.08em;text-transform:uppercase;color:#6A6A63;line-height:1.5;padding-top:2px\"\u003eChemical interval\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"flex:1 1 280px\"\u003ePesticide residues run longer than most people expect. Permethrin, a pyrethroid: 8–12 weeks. Imidacloprid, a neonicotinoid: 21 days after a foliar spray, 4 weeks after a soil drench\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"display:flex;flex-wrap:wrap;gap:4px 20px;padding:11px 0;border-bottom:1px solid #E7E4DF\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"flex:0 0 148px;font-size:11px;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:.08em;text-transform:uppercase;color:#6A6A63;line-height:1.5;padding-top:2px\"\u003eSafe around\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"flex:1 1 280px\"\u003eHumans, cats, dogs, plants, and all reptiles and amphibians\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"FGMN Nursery","offers":[{"title":"X-Small — Up to 10 Plants — 1,500 Mites","offer_id":50523120795708,"sku":"STRA-1500","price":50.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Small — Up to 25 Plants — 3,750 Mites","offer_id":50523120828476,"sku":"STRA-3750","price":56.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Medium — Up to 50 Plants — 7,500 Mites","offer_id":50523120861244,"sku":"STRA-7500","price":64.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Large — Up to 100 Plants — 15,000 Mites","offer_id":50523120894012,"sku":"STRA-15000","price":78.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"X-Large — Up to 250 Plants — 37,500 Mites","offer_id":50523120926780,"sku":"STRA-37500","price":120.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"2X-Large — Up to 500 Plants — 75,000 Mites","offer_id":50523120959548,"sku":"STRA-75000","price":188.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"3X-Large — Up to 800 Plants — 125,000 Mites","offer_id":50523120992316,"sku":"STRA-125000","price":280.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2166\/5887\/files\/stratiolaelaps-scimitus-hypoaspis-miles.png?v=1790388923","url":"https:\/\/www.giftsforyounme.com\/products\/stratiolaelaps-scimitus","provider":"Gifts for You 'n Me","version":"1.0","type":"link"}