Ulti-Mite, a pioneering packaging solution for predatory mites, is revolutionizing biological pest control across diverse crops. Launched in 2016, this innovative product has enhanced the efficacy of biological pest management by providing an optimal environment for predatory mites to thrive and reproduce, even under suboptimal conditions.
Advantages of Ulti-Mite Sachets
Ulti-Mite sachets are specifically engineered to maintain their effectiveness in both high and low humidity levels, addressing a critical limitation of traditional paper sachets that often dry out and fail to perform in challenging environments. These sachets function as a continuous breeding system, allowing predatory mites to reproduce within the packaging and gradually emerge over a period of 4-6 weeks. The sachets’ unique foil material retains essential moisture, ensuring that the mites can complete their reproductive cycles without interruption—a crucial factor for maintaining a strong population of predatory mites.
How Ulti-Mite Sachets Work
The Ulti-Mite sachet is designed to support continuous reproduction of predatory mites in adverse climatic conditions. The feeder mite population inside the sachet increases over time, providing a sustainable food source that enables the predatory mites to establish new populations. The fully industrial compostable sachets are made from a specially developed foil that is 100% compostable, allowing for environmentally responsible disposal along with crop waste. Additionally, the moisture-resistant hooks used to hang the sachets ensure they remain effective and secure, even when used outdoors.
Successful Applications and Future Prospects
Koppert’s first natural enemy to utilize the Ulti-Mite sachet was Amblyseius swirskii, marketed as Swirski Ulti-Mite. Since its introduction in 2006, this beneficial predatory mite has become one of the most frequently used biological control agents, particularly effective in crops such as cucumber, sweet pepper, rose, and gerbera. The Ulti-Mite version of Amblyseius swirskii has been available since 2016, and the technology has since been extended to other predatory mites, including Neoseiulus californicus (Spical Ulti-Mite) and Transeius montdorensis (Montdo Ulti-Mite).
The water-resistant foil used in Ulti-Mite sachets offers new opportunities for outdoor crop protection, especially in citrus cultivation. This innovative packaging ensures stable and reliable pest control, outperforming similar products in suboptimal climates. Whether used in tunnels or open fields, or in consistently humid environments, Ulti-Mite’s patented system safeguards predatory mites from excessive moisture and dehydration, ensuring successful integrated pest management even in the most challenging conditions.
