BENEFICIAL INSECTS FOR PEST CONTROL
Lady Bugs (Hippodainia convergens) The Lady
Bug is the most widely recognized of all Beneficial Insects. The
Lady Bug, actually a beetle, is known mostly for aphid control
but also feeds on chinch bugs, asparagus beetle larvae, thrips,
Colorado potato beetle, whitefly & mites. The Lady Bug is
effective in gardens and greenhouses and will attack pests in
both it's larvae and adult stages. Ladybugs will consume over
1,000 aphids in it's lifetime. Available year round Lady Bugs
are shipped as adults and can be stored for several weeks in the
refrigerator. 1500 is enough for an average garden, 1 gallon will
cover an acre depending on the level of infestation.
Praying Mantis (Tenodera aridifolia sinensis) While
the Praying Mantis is a general predator that attacks any
garden pest it can get it's hands on most people buy them for
the interesting way they protect the garden.
The Praying Mantis gets it's name by the way they patiently stand
with it's forelegs tucked under it's chin
waiting for dinner to walk by. When someone does get too close
the mantis can grab it's prey faster than a
housefly can flap it's wings one time trying to get away. Once
the Mantis has a hold of a victim in it's vise like
hooks they always bite the neck first. Mantises are sold in the
egg case that will hatch from 50 to 200 baby
Mantises once things get warm enough in spring. Once hatched the
Mantis begins feeding on mites and aphids,
but as they get bigger so does it's prey. Adult Mantises can grow
to be 3 to 5 inches in length and can be trained
as pets, even taking food from your hand. They are fun to watch
in the garden or make for an interesting school
project.
Beneficial Nematode (Steinernema carpocapsae Heterorhabditis)
For the average homeowner, organic gardener or farmer Beneficial
Nematodes offer the greatest value when it comes to biological
control due to the wide number of pests they control and how easy
it is to get great results. Root weevil, European crane fly, grubs,
ants cutworm, over 250 soil dwelling pests that are so difficult
to control using other methods are just a tasty mid afternoon
snack for the Beneficial Nematode. Any pest that spends any stage
of it's life cycle in the soil falls prey, most before they enter
their adult stage.
Beneficial Nematodes are microscopic and live below the soil surface.
When they come in contact with a
pest they attack by entering through body openings or simply by
boring through the body wall and release a
bacteria that kills the host within 48 hours. They then feed and
reproduce before exiting in search of fresh prey.
Beneficial Nematodes do not harm worms, birds, plants or the environment.
Beneficial Nematodes are live, not
dehydrated and are shipped on sponges that you emerge in water
they spray into the soil with a hose end
sprayer, pump sprayer or with a watering can. 1 million treats
3000 sq ft, 6 million for a quarter acre, or 24
million treats an acre. Perfect for fleas, root weevil & crane
fly.
Green Lacewing (Chrysopeia rufilabris) Not
as widely known as the Lady Bug but, an aggressive control for
the
same type of pest and not as prone to fly off. They are sold in
their egg stage that will hatch in to larvae in 3 to 5
days, or in the larvae stage for faster control. It's in their
larvae stage that the Lacewing controls pests. After 14 to
21 days the larvae pupates into a cocoon for 14 days before emerging
as adults. As adults feed only on pollen,
nectar and honeydew., the females will lay about 200 eggs.
Diatomaceous Earth is a fossilized silica shell from the
ocean floor that looks like baby powder but is very
abrasive. When crawling pests (fleas, ants, silverfish) come in
contact with DE it cuts their skin and the pests die
from dehydration. Effective as long as it is dry. Great for pantry's.
Comes straight or mixed with pyrethrin.
Lady Bug Breakfast A natural substitute for the pollen,
nectar and honeydew that Beneficial Insects need when they have
taken care of the pest problem and to help stimulate reproduction
and egg production. Will help to keep the Beneficial Insects you
have and to attract more. Mix with 5 parts warm water and spray
foliage. Safe for plants.
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