AMBLYforce™ S (Sachets)

Product Description

AMBLYforce™ S is the predatory mite Amblyseius swirskii, used mainly to control whitefly, with some impact on spider mite populations. This format ships in slow-release breeder sachets: the mites reproduce inside each sachet and trickle out into the crop over several weeks, giving steady, hands-off whitefly and thrips control. Swirskii is a polyphagous predator that also feeds on pollen and thrives in warm crops — it stays active at high temperatures between 86°F and 95°F, which makes it a workhorse in greenhouses, indoor facilities, field and row crops, interiorscapes, and gardens.

What it targets

• Greenhouse Whitefly (Trialeurodes vaporariorum)
• Tobacco Whitefly (Bemisia tabaci)
• Certain Thrips spp.
• Two-Spotted Spider Mite (Tetranychus urticae)
• Tarsonemid Mites

Crops it supports

Vegetable crops, soft fruits, ornamental crops, and hemp/cannabis — in greenhouses, indoor facilities, field and row crops, interiorscapes, and gardens.

How Amblyseius swirskii controls whitefly and thrips

Swirskii is polyphagous: it eats thrips (the first and second larval instars of western flower thrips) and whitefly (the eggs and first larval instar of greenhouse and Bemisia whitefly). Used preventively, it can control whitefly before they produce honeydew. The predator’s population builds as pest pressure increases, and it can feed on pollen — or be supplementally fed in low- or non-pollinating crops. It adapts easily to high temperatures between 86°F and 95°F.

Release Rates

Cannabis Alert: Release rate suggestions on these pages are usually not sufficient for cannabis growers. For cannabis release rates, contact us.

Release Instructions

Sachets on a stick: Use sachets on a stick for plants in propagation or those too small to support a hook. For trays or liners, put one sachet on a stick in the middle of each one (you can often use one sachet for every other tray/liner if they are touching). For pots and baskets, place the sachet in the center next to the plant so the plant grows around it. Don’t let the bottom of the sachet touch the soil, since it can wick moisture.

Sachets on a hook: For larger plants, hang a sachet on a hook on the plant itself, close to the stem. Don’t lay sachets flat on the soil, where they tend to grow mold underneath, especially with top-watering. Very tall or wide plants may need more than one sachet for adequate control.

How the sachets work: Each sachet is filled with predatory and feeder mites that allow a slow, constant release over an extended period. Sachets last up to 5 weeks, and the week number is printed on the back. If a sachet is less than five weeks old, simply leave it in the plant — sachets are water-resistant and the mites reproduce inside and exit through a tiny hole. Sachets older than five weeks from the current week should be replaced (or left in the crop if removal is difficult).

Storage: Do not cold store predatory mites for more than 8 hours; keep them in moderate humidity at 55–65°F until ready to release. Apply sachets as soon as possible. Do not store sachets in a refrigerator, air-conditioned room, or cooler — these conditions dry them out and ruin them. If storage is unavoidable, hold sachets around 60°F, keep humidity high, and open the box so carbon dioxide does not build up and kill the mites.

Monitoring: Check plants for decreasing populations of thrips larvae and whitefly. Scouting for predatory mite adults can be difficult, so the most reliable method is to watch for reduced pest pressure after releases. Predatory mites are fast-moving, hide in the foliage, and ambush their prey, so they are rarely found in large numbers alongside the pest.

Advisories: If used alongside Phytoseiulus persimilis, use caution. In a greenhouse with mixed mites and whiteflies, clean up honeydew deposits and excessive webbing before release. Try to maintain microclimate humidity around 70%, supplementing with misting if conditions get too dry.