Stratiolaelaps scimitus (formerly Hypoaspis miles) – Soil Mite Predator for Fungus Gnats and Thrips Pupae

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a{color:var(--blue);} .faq-toggle:checked + .faq-label{background:var(--blue);color:#fff;} .faq-toggle:checked + .faq-label .faq-q-icon{background:rgba(255,255,255,0.2);border-color:rgba(255,255,255,0.4);transform:rotate(45deg);} .faq-toggle:checked ~ .faq-answer{max-height:500px;padding:12px 14px;border-top:1px solid rgba(1,173,240,0.15);} .faq-toggle:focus-visible + .faq-label{outline:3px solid var(--blue);outline-offset:-2px;} /* CLOSING FOOTER */ .closing-trust{margin-top:22px;padding:15px 16px;background:var(--bg-soft);border:1px solid var(--border);border-radius:var(--radius);display:flex;flex-wrap:wrap;align-items:center;gap:12px;justify-content:space-between;} .closing-trust-text{display:flex;align-items:flex-start;gap:10px;flex:1;min-width:200px;} .closing-trust-text svg{color:var(--green);margin-top:2px;flex-shrink:0;} .closing-trust-text p{font-size:0.78rem;color:var(--text-light);line-height:1.6;} .closing-trust-text strong{color:var(--text);font-weight:600;} .closing-contact{display:flex;flex-direction:column;gap:5px;align-items:flex-end;} .closing-contact a{display:inline-flex;align-items:center;gap:5px;font-family:var(--font-head);font-size:0.74rem;font-weight:600;color:var(--blue);text-decoration:none;padding:6px 12px;border:1px solid var(--blue);border-radius:var(--radius-sm);transition:background 0.15s,color 0.15s;white-space:nowrap;} .closing-contact a:hover{background:var(--blue);color:#fff;} .closing-contact a svg{flex-shrink:0;} One shake into your topsoil and fungus gnats stop breeding for the life of the medium Fungus gnats do their damage underground, where sprays never reach the larvae chewing on your roots. Stratiolaelaps scimitus, once called Hypoaspis miles, is a soil-dwelling predatory mite that lives in the top half inch of your growing media and eats fungus gnat larvae, thrips pupae, and root aphids before they mature. Sprinkle it on once, keep the surface lightly moist, and it establishes a self-sustaining population that patrols the root zone for you. Safe for people, pets, and pollinators Chemical-free root-zone control Ships live, overnight Tuesdays Live insects ship on Tuesdays only and arrive Wednesday. Orders must be placed 7 days in advance. Anything ordered by 3pm EST Tuesday ships the following Tuesday by UPS overnight shipping. UPS overnight shipping on live insects Bundle and save on shipping 5% off with subscription Why it's different Soil drenches and sticky traps vs. a living soil predator Sprays and traps Sticky traps catch flying adults but never touch the larvae in the soil Drenches wash out with every watering and need constant reapplication Chemical residue you have to time around harvest Only works while you keep spraying Broad-spectrum products harm beneficial soil life You react after you see adults flying Stratiolaelaps scimitus Hunts the larvae and pupae in the soil where the real damage happens One application establishes a breeding population that lasts the life of the medium Leaves no residue and is safe to use at any growth stage Reproduces in place on a roughly 13-day cycle and keeps working on its own Targets pest larvae and leaves your soil biology intact Works preventatively so populations never build in the first place What makes it work Why growers reach for this mite first Lives where fungus gnats breed These mites stay in the top half inch of media and feed on fungus gnat larvae and thrips pupae, the two life stages that foliar sprays cannot reach. Establishes a permanent population One application With light surface moisture the mites reproduce in the substrate, so a single release keeps working for the life of the medium instead of washing away. Roughly 13-day life cycle Under typical grow-room temperature and humidity the full egg-to-adult cycle runs about 13 days, letting numbers build quickly once released. Also takes root aphids and springtails Beyond fungus gnats, this generalist soil predator feeds on root aphids and springtails, giving you broader root-zone coverage from one product. Preventative or curative Add it at transplant to stop problems before they start, or apply to an active outbreak to knock down the larvae already in your pots. Simple to deploy Mixed in a vermiculite carrier, it shakes evenly across the soil surface with no equipment and no mixing. What it targets Pest species it targets Fungus gnat larvae (Sciaridae) Fungus gnat eggs Thrips pupae Root aphids Springtails Soil-dwelling nematodes Other small soil insects Ideal conditions Where it works best Temperature Active above 59°F (15°C) Moisture Keep media lightly moist Media Loose, organic-rich soil or coco Timing Apply early / preventively How to apply Application instructions 1 Turn and gently shake the tube to mix the mites through the carrier. 2 Sprinkle evenly over the soil surface at the base of plants, not on the foliage. 3 Apply at planting or first sign of gnats; typical rate 100-500 per m² (about 300/m² for season-long cover). 4 Keep the top layer lightly moist, and repeat once or twice if pressure is high. How Stratiolaelaps clears your fungus gnats 1 Shake it across the soil Sprinkle the carrier evenly over the top of your media at the base of each plant. No mixing or watering-in required. 2 Keep the surface lightly moist The mites need a slightly damp top layer to move and breed. Avoid letting the surface dry out completely in the first two weeks. 3 They hunt the root zone The mites patrol the upper soil, feeding on pest eggs, larvae, and pupae as they go. 4 Population self-sustains Females lay eggs directly into the substrate, so the colony renews itself and holds the pests down long term. In the package What you get and how to size it What ships to you Live Stratiolaelaps scimitus in a shake-ready vermiculite carrier Enough mites for the count listed on your chosen size Release and care instructions Insulated overnight packaging Sizes and options Standard canister: covers small to mid-size tents and container gardens Larger counts: available for bigger rooms and benches Pairs well with: Steinernema feltiae for a deeper root-zone drench Not sure how much you need? Coverage depends on pot count and pressure, so if you are unsure, tell us your setup and we will size the release for you. Call or email us: 716-217-0353 / [email protected] Questions Frequently asked questions Will this get rid of the gnats flying around my tent? It targets the larvae in the soil, which is where the next generation comes from. As the larvae are eaten, the flying adults die off naturally within a couple of weeks since nothing new is hatching. Pair it with sticky traps if you want to knock down the current adults faster. Do I need to reapply it every few weeks? Usually not. As long as the top layer of media stays lightly moist, the mites breed in place and hold their own for the life of the medium. Heavy outbreaks or very dry rooms may benefit from a second release, and we are happy to advise. Is it safe around my plants, pets, and kids? Yes. Stratiolaelaps feeds only on small soil-dwelling pests and their eggs. It does not bite people or pets, does not harm plants, and leaves no chemical residue. When should I release them for best results? Live insects ship overnight on Tuesdays only, so they arrive Wednesday while still fresh. Place your order at least 7 days ahead so we can include you in the next weekly dispatch. We cannot ship live insects to HI, PR, VI, GU, AS, or PW. Open the package and release the same day it arrives. What if my order arrives damaged or the insects are dead on arrival? If you receive a defective or damaged unit, email us a photo at [email protected] and we'll make it right immediately. For change-of-mind returns, we accept returns within 30 days for items in new, resalable condition. If you're not sure whether this product is right for your setup, call us first at 716-217-0353. We'd rather answer your questions before you order. Why should I buy this from Happy Hydro instead of somewhere else? Happy Hydro has been selling growing equipment since 2006. We've carried Beneficial Insects for years because the biology works and customers who buy it leave happy. Have questions before you order? Call 716-217-0353 or email [email protected]. We're easy to reach and happy to help! Questions? We're easy to reach.Happy Hydro has been serving growers since 2006. Call or email us before you order, after you order, or any time something comes up. When you're happy, we're happy. 716-217-0353 [email protected] Show more