FAQ

Welcome to our Frequently Asked Question (FAQ) section. Here you can find information on some of the common questions we get. If you don't see information you are looking for here, please don't hesitate to reach out to us at mark@mibeneficials.com

Springtail Questions

What are springtails, and what role do they play in my soil?

Springtails are tiny, soil-dwelling organisms that help decompose organic matter and contribute to soil health through their clean-up abililty (Clean Up Crew)

In living soil, this translates to improved nutrient cycling and better overall soil health.

In a bioactive reptile enclosure, this translates to a better Clean Up Crew and quicker break down of organic matter that can rot and smell.

Collapsible row

Collapsible row

Collapsible row

Bio-Diversity Pack (Fungus Gnat Eliminator) Questions

What pests do your bio-diversity packs work against?

Our bio-diversity packs include Rove Beetles and Hypoapsis miles which are two predator species which offer protection against fungus gnats, root aphids, the soil stages of thrips and mealy bugs.

What pests do Rove Beetles (Dalotia coriaria) work against?

Rove beetles (Dalotia coriaria) offer protection against fungus gnats, root aphids, the soil stages of thrips and mealy bugs.

What species are included in my bio-diversity packs?

Dalotia coriaria (Rove Beetle), Hypoaspis miles (Stratiolaelaps scimitus), Oribatid mite (mold mites, moss mites, grain mites, Oligochaeta annelida (pot worms), Springtails, red wiggler worms and cocoons

There is funky stuff growing on top of my pack when it arrives, is that okay?

Absolutely! We propagate our insects in an non-sterile environment in propagation units designed to mimic the soil-food-web. We feed our soil-food-web organisms a fungal dominant diet of mainly our Beneboost. This diet along with the active biology in the bedding material creates the white fungus you see growing on top.

My Bio-Diversity pack doesn't appear to have any life moving on top, is this okay?

Our bio-diversity packs mimic a natural habitat for beneficial insects in the rhizosphere. When we pack and ship our packs, the organisms in these packs settle into this habitat and continue their life as they know it.

In addition, during the summer months, we generally ship with ice packs which can cause the beneficial insects to move slower temporarily until they are unboxed and acclimated to your environment.

When you receive your pack we recommend unpacking it and allowing them to acclimate. Tap the container on a counter and open it gently, there should be visible movement of Rove Beetles and possibly Hypoaspis miles

Do you offer returns on any beneficial insects?

We do not offer any returns on beneficial insects as the fragile nature of these organisms does not permit extensive transit.

If there are any issues with your order or question of livelihood, please contact us immediately upon arrival with a video of the original packaging.

How many bio-diversity packs do I need for my grow?

We recommend using one of our bio-diversity packs per 6 sqft of bed space.

If you have an existing pest condition we recommend doubling that application for quicker results.

If you need further advice on how many packs you need for your grow please don't hesitate to reach out to us.

How fast will my pest issue subside?

We generally see pest issues reduce in about 2-4 weeks. This depends on many factors including the amount of beneficials applied and the severity of the pest issue. It also depends on your watering practices, environmental conditions and if you are using any dreaded oil based products or insect killers in your soil drench. We have a comprehensive guide to follow to help maximize impact.

Predatory hypoapsis miles take roughly 11 days for a single reproduction cycle and rove beetles take roughly 4 weeks. This means your populations won't start booming for that amount of time which is when you will see the impact of this product.

What do I do if my bugs arrive dead?

In the unusual event your bugs arrive completely lifeless or severely impacted by transit, we ask that you take a video poking around in the soil layer as we need video proof to file insurance claim.

The other reason this is prudent is because the insects in the bio-diversity packs tend to settle down into these packs. They replicate a natural environment, thus they do not hang on top like traditional beneficial insects.

What can I do to boost my rove beetle, hypoapsis mile and soil beneficial insect populations?

These soil beneficial thrive on fungal dominant amendments. We have developed a product called Beneboost which is a mix of Barley, Lentil, Corn, Wheat Bran and Oats to make an ideal food source to feed your beneficials. It also provides your plants with significant health benefits.

Shipping Questions

What days do you ship?

Bio-Diversity packs, Springtails and Rove Beetles: We ship on Mondayss and Tuesdays only. Please see our shipping policy or each individual product for specific shipping information.

Predator Mites: Predatory Mites DO NOT Ship on the same schedule as Bio-diversity packs and Rove Beetles.

Ocidentalis, Fallacis, Californicus, and all Combos will ship out Monday Through Wednesday of the following week your order is placed.

Stratiolaelaps and Swirskii will ship out Wednesday of the following week your order is placed.

All other Items: All other items will ship within 72 business hours and usually sooner.

What carriers do you use?

We use USPS and UPS

What Do I Do For USPS Priority Hold for Pickup?

After placing your order for USPS Priority Hold, please email us your specified Post Office for pickup ASAP.

If we don't hear from you before your item ships, we will send it to the closest Post Office location to the provided shipping address.

It is imperative you provide a valid email address and cell phone number that can receive SMS so that USPS can notify you for pickup.

How do you package and ship insects during the warm months?

We use thermal insulation and ice packs as a means of keeping our bio-diversity packs as close to room temperature as possible during transit.

How do you package and ship insects during the cold months?

We use thermal insulation or normal packaging along with warmers to provide optimal temperature for the insects.

Do You Offer Live Arrival Guarantee?

We offer live arrival guarantee on all overnight shipments as well as those specified in our shipping policy. This changes seasonally depending on the weather and temperatures.