Monty Don Applies Dragonfli's Biological Control Of Fuchsia Gall Mite On BBC Gardeners' World
Dragonfli Supply BBC With Amblyseius Andersoni Predators As Monty Don Shows Off Biological Control Of Fuchsia Gall Mite On Gardeners' World
Friday, August 23rd's edition of Gardeners' World (Episode 22) featured Monty Don applying one of Dragonfli's biological control products for treating Fuchsia Gall Mite.
Monty was shown applying one of our Amblyseius andersoni sachets to Fuchsias in his greenhouse. Dragonfli were happy to supply the BBC with the product and such media interest further signifies how prevalent Fuchsia Gall Mites are this year.
What Are Fuchsia Gall Mites?
Fuchsia Gall Mites are difficult to detect as they are microscopic and cannot be seen with the naked eye. The damage they cause, however, is far more noticeable.
Fuchsia Gall Mite is a sap-sucker. Infestation will lead to the growth of Fuchsias becoming stunted and shoot tips will swell and distort. Flowers also often fail to develop.
This tiny mite can have several generations a year and outside is active
from May to September. In warm glasshouses, however, they can remain active all year.
Control Fuchsia Gall Mites Naturally With Amblyseius Andersoni
Although quite a recent pest in the UK, the Gall Mite is already largely resistant to insecticides. Luckily we have a native predatory mite that will seek out and consume Gall Mites. Amblyseius andersoni is supplied in bottles, or slow release sachets.
For a quick release, the predators can be shaken from our bottles directly over infected plants.
For a longer release, hang our sachets (this is the product Monty showcased on BBC's Gardeners' World) on the plant.
These sachets will release predatory mites for up to 4 weeks. For best results cut out infected growth and buds first, then allow the predatory mites to protect the new growth.
Comments (10 Responses)
Philippa Smith
I’m searching online for help with fuchsia gall mite. A fuchsia that has been in my garden since I was a small child was this year brutally attacked by what I now know is gall mite and I have completely cut it down. At what time do I start using your Amblyseius andersoni? It has also spread to all my hanging baskets, and i have a lot, can these be saved? as I don’t replace theses every year? I found your site as I usually follow Monty Don and his recommendations. Thank you in advance
Julian Ives
Hi Jan,
Many thanks for getting in touch and for ordering with us.
I am sorry to hear of the continued struggle you’ve endured in combating Fuchsia Gall Mite.
This can be a tricky pest to eradicate at times, as it often hides in buds which makes the timing of the application difficult.
It might be worth placing some of Amblyseius andersoni sachets within your plants. These sachets will slowly release the same predatory mites contained in our Fuchsia Gall Mite Killer over a period of 4 weeks.
This might provide you with a better chance of catching the Gall Mites, with predators present for a longer duration.
As you’ve been a loyal customer to us for a couple of years now, we’d be more than happy to arrange to send you some of these free of charge.
Please get in touch with our sales team at sales@dragonfli.co.uk, quoting your last order number and they’ll be happy to arrange this for you.
I hope this all helps but of course if you need any further assistance please don’t hesitate to reach out again and we’d be more than happy to help.
Kind regards,
Julian Ives [Director, Dragonfli]
Jan devall
I have bought at least 5 medium sized bottles of fuchsia gall mite nematodes , and my plants are still suffering.
Two bottles last year and 3 this year.
I’ve followed directions well, but still have problems! Why ?
Julian Ives
Hi Elizabeth,
Many thanks for getting in touch and sorry to hear of the damage that your Fuchsias have sustained.
There is, however, still potential for a revival, particularly if you sprinkle some of our natural Soil Boost biostimulant in with the plant compost. This will provide a boost to the overall health of the plant, aiding it in its fight against pests and diseases.
I would also recommend to continue to apply our Amblyseius andersoni sachets this season. You can actually start to hang these from your Fuchsias now as temperatures have now warmed up suitably for the efficacy of this particular predatory mite.
You might wish to continue to replace these sachets every 4 weeks throughout the spring and summer to ensure that your Fuchsias maintain a constant presence of predatory mites to defend against any present or re-emerging Fuchsia Gall Mite infestations.
I hope this all helps but of course if you need any further assistance please don’t hesitate to reach out again and we’d be more than happy to help.
Kind regards,
Julian Ives [Director, Dragonfli]
19 October, 2025
Elizabeth Brough
I’ve recently moved to a bungalow that is surrounded by heavily infested fushias gall mites. I purchased a large quantity of your sachets and cut the plants and attached the sachets to them.
On inspection recently I was horrified to see the looked even worse.
Should I just dig them out or cut them right back and sprinkle instead.?
Any advice would be helpful please.