Practical experiences
Since 2004, experience with the spreading of A. swirskii using slow-release bags and shaker cans has primarily been gained in the second and third cultivation cycles. The results were positive. Cucumber plants do not make any alternative food - like pollen - available for A. swirskii. This means that the predatory mites can only be released if there is light whitefly, thrips or spider mite damage. A. swirskii can build up greater numbers per leaf faster than Amblyseius cucumeris. Since it eats thrips, whitefly and spider mite, the population reaches a higher level more quickly. The number of predatory mites per leaf can reach levels of 5 to 10 predatory mites per leaf and even dozens per leaf in cases of higher levels of infestation.
There are even good experiences with using biological methods (A. swirskii) right from the start instead of using chemicals.