Aphid Predators
Each
Aphid Predator larva must eat 10 aphids to reach full development, but
will happily eat many more if they are available. Great for indoors
because they do not fly toward the light. For a small indoor garden, one
release of 100-250 predators will get you started.
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White Fly
Parasites
Many
commercial green-houses use Whitefly Parasites as their only whitefly
control. These eggs are glued to small cards and shipped ready to hatch
and parasitize pest larvae. Use 500 parasites up to four times to
control whitefly infestations in a small home greenhouse.
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Ladybugs
An
adult Ladybug can eat thousands of aphids and other pests in its
lifetime. Good for small and large areas.
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Green Lacewing
This
excellent all-purpose garden predator devours aphids, mealybugs, soft
scale, whiteflies and the eggs of other insects such as spider mites and
thrips. Shipped as eggs, these beneficials are best applied 5,000 eggs
per acre.
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House Fly Parasites
Controls
many species of flies by killing their pupae before flies hatch. In its
3-4 week lifecycle, each parasite kills 50 flies. Use anywhere nuisance
flies breed. Release 5000 every two weeks for a large compost pile or
3-4 head of livestock.
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Mealybug
Predators
Predators
of small insects, these tiny black ladybugs are effective, proven
beneficial insects that have been used commercially for over 100 years.
They really enjoy mealybugs but will eat aphids and scale when the
mealies get scarce. Apply 2-5 per infested plant or one for every two
feet of planted area. Repeat about twice a year as needed.
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Pirate Bugs
Pirate Bugs (Orius insidiosis) are used on many crops to control thrip,
aphid, spider mite and whitefly populations. Release 5-10 per 100 square
feet. For extreme thrip infestations, use in conjunction with Thrip
Predators.
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Praying Mantis
A
Praying Mantis can grow to be four inches long in just one season and
will feed on almost any insect it can overcome. Allow several weeks of
warm weather for hatching.
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Spider Mite Destroyers
Spider
Mite Destroyers breed twice as fast as spider mites and eat up to five
mites or 20 mite eggs every day! Over time, your spider mite populations
will dwindle. To control spider mites in six weeks, estimated use is one
predator for every 20 spider mites.
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Whitefly
Predators
Whitefly
Predators are fast eaters; they eat one whitefly larva in just 30
seconds. Imagine what these hungry helpers can do for your garden as
they munch up to 600 whitefly eggs every day! 300-500 predators cover
1,000 square feet. To use, just shake the predators out of their package
onto plant foliage. Predators do best between 65-90 degrees
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Fungus Gnat Predator
Nature's
alternative to chemical insecticides, Fungus Gnat Predators feed on the
larvae of fungus gnats and other small soil-dwelling creatures including
thrips, mites, and springtails. Five thousand predators treat up to 200
square feet of growing surface.
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Predator Mites
Predator
Mites usually gain control of spider mite infestations after 4 weeks.
Release 100 mites per 25 square feet. Predator mites will be effective
in a wide variety of conditions: from 55-90 degrees Fahrenheit and from
45-90% relative humidity.
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Thrip Predators
These
predators feed on immature thrips (soil and leaf pupating) and an
occasional spider mite as well. Use 100-500 per plant or 200,000 per
acre to control thrip infestations. For maximum effectiveness, humidity
must remain between 70% and 85%.
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Beneficial
Nematodes
Beneficial
Nematodes control over 250 different insects in the soil, including
weevils, loopers, borers, moths, and fleas. They are harmless to
earthworms and leave plants alone. Not to be confused with pest
nematodes, beneficial nematodes are parasitic, and invade the bodies of
their prey, leaving behind the dead insect carcasses. One batch fits
onto a small, 2" sponge and will cover up to 2,000 square feet. To use,
submerge the sponge in water and soak into soil with a watering can or
pressure-sprayer. Nematodes may also be injected into borer holes with a
syringe. If necessary, Beneficial Nematodes may be stored in the
refrigerator (40-50 degrees F) for up to 2 months.
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