THREE TREES FARM

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.

Our Contact Information:

Three Trees Farm
73470 Abeene Lane
Cottage Grove, Oregon 97424
541-735-0046
(9:00 AM PST to 6:00 PM PST)

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© 1996 -
All content developed by Chris Boissevain, owner Three Trees Farm