Predatory mites (Hypoaspis miles) climbing up the plant???

I've always had predatory mites, occasionally in large groups, crawling around the edge of the container and on the soil surface. But now they are starting to climb upwards, and I find the odd few crawling around the leaves.

There doesn't appear to be any other pests present, so i'm not sure what they are up to. I've read contradictory information regarding how they behave when there aren't other insects for them to feast on. In sum, i've heard that without other bugs they will either:
1) Starve to death or move somewhere else,
2) Eat only decaying plant matter, or
3) Munch on viable, living plants

They don't seem to be deterred by my usual pest management protocol. What the approach here?

You need to treat the plant with a miticide otherwise you will get nothing.

*BUDS said:

You need to treat the plant with a miticide otherwise you will get nothing.

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Really? I thought people intentionally introduce predatory mites into the environment to control spider mites (and other pests) that are already living on the foliage.

So you think to get rid of spidermites you introduce more mites to kill the mites that are there? Dont do that in a grow room bro you will end up with mites everywhere and the spidermites will still be there .You need to kill the mites with mighty wash for eg. Cool things down in there, vacuum more and make sure your clean before going in.

*BUDS said:

So you think to get rid of spidermites you introduce more mites to kill the mites that are there? Dont do that in a grow room bro you will end up with mites everywhere and the spidermites will still be there .You need to kill the mites with mighty wash for eg. Cool things down in there, vacuum more and make sure your clean before going in.

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I didn't introduce the predatory mites, but i do know there is an industry built around using predatory mites to eliminate spider mites. Anyway.... things are pretty clean already, though regardless of how clean/dirty things are, the predator mites have ALWAYS been there. However, this is just the first time that they're climbing up the stalks.

predators are the best but hardest way to control due to the problem of running out of mites to feed on...dont know what the solution would be other than to control your predator population a bit...

GrowHydro2193 said:

predators are the best but hardest way to control due to the problem of running out of mites to feed on...dont know what the solution would be other than to control your predator population a bit...

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Right, but i never intended for the predator mites to be present. They've just always been here from day 1. Nor do there appear to be any other pests for them to deal with.

I've just tried rubbing some diatamaceous earth on the lower stalks, hoping this will create a barrier between the dirt and the leaves. I really don't know if they have any idea what they're looking for. They don't appear to have been doing any damage, but one can really never know until it's too late...

jerichojews said:

Right, but i never intended for the predator mites to be present. They've just always been here from day 1. Nor do there appear to be any other pests for them to deal with.

I've just tried rubbing some diatamaceous earth on the lower stalks, hoping this will create a barrier between the dirt and the leaves. I really don't know if they have any idea what they're looking for. They don't appear to have been doing any damage, but one can really never know until it's too late...

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that wont stop em.......... just let it ride theyre not gonna hurt anything

hyposasis mites are your friend, NO your enemy.....if they are indeed hyposasis mites.

DemonTrich said:

hyposasis mites are your friend, NO your enemy.....if they are indeed hyposasis mites.

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I'm pretty sure they are hypoaspis mites. I usually find them crawling around the rim of the container or on the soil surface, there are no winged creatures flying around, and there is no webbing on the plant. Also, there is no obvious visible damage to the plants.
I just don't know how much of a friend to me they can be when they're crawling around in places where they don't belong.