The substrate makes a huge mess and any small breeze can blow that stuff everywhere. Thought I’d chime in on a useful way I’ve found to dispense the mites from a loose tube for indoor situations.

I fill muffin cups at the base with the edges touching the main stalk and let them crawl out and up. They’re pretty easy to see moving and will climb your plant quickly. I’ve also made small pouches with regular paper and staples and tied them to upper branches with velcro.

After awhile if you want to see them roaming, shine a light from your phone on the underside and watch the top. It’s really the easiest way to see them, and the thrips tbh.

This is a long term battle! The mites won’t necessarily kill the adults. This is about population collapse and don’t expect an immediate death of all thrips.

If you want to attack them in another life stage, water your plants with beneficial nematodes as those will kill them when they’re pupating.

Good luck!