Predatory mites: fighting mites with mites

It takes a mite to beat a mite. Predatory mites are the natural enemy of the two-spotted (spider) mite that plagues gardens in hot, dry weather — and they're one of the most reliable biological controls going.

What do they do?

They hunt and eat pest two-spotted mites and their eggs, along with thrips. A good population can clear an infestation without a drop of spray.

How do I spot them?

• Very small, shiny and fast-moving — often orange, tan or red and pear-shaped.
• They move noticeably faster than the sluggish pest mites they're chasing.
• You'll usually need a hand lens to tell friend from foe.

How do I attract and keep them?

They're even sold commercially to release onto a bad infestation. To keep the wild ones, avoid broad-spectrum sprays (which hit predators harder than pests) and mist in hot, dry spells — pest mites love it hot and dry, their hunters don't. Plant a variety of flowers among your veggies (see our companion planting guide), go easy on sprays that kill the good bugs along with the bad, and leave a shallow dish of water out in hot weather.

Reach for a gentle option and let the predators do the rest, rather than a harsh spray that resets the whole balance. For the full approach, see our guide to managing pests the safe way.

Image: Attelabus, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.