Helpful Grower’s Guide

Question

• Answer

  It is a good idea to get these guys under control. I have had great luck with biological control using small parasitic wasps which really go after the aphids (as discussed in the revised version of my book). Aphidius colemani and Aphidius ervi are both good at controlling these critters.

  Also, I have excellent luck w/ Aphidoletes aphidimyza. This aphid predator is also known as “aphid midge” and works great as a general feeder of aphids. The adults feed on flower nectar and pollen. The adults usually lay eggs near aphid infestations, and larvae hatch out and feed on the aphid for 3 to 6 days before burrowing into the soil to pupate into an adult. It kills the aphid by injecting a paralyzing toxin into the aphid and then sucking out their body fluids. It works best in the warmer months when the days are longer.

  As far as the green lacewings, I would suspect that you have a bad supplier who shipped you some dead lacewings! Get your money back! Sadly, this happens all the time! Be sure your bugs arrive alive! Don’t just set them out without seeing them hatch and move. If not complain!

  Now some spray options: Sprays that are kind to beneficials insects include: Beauveria bassiana, a fungus-based spray works well on aphids and has a low toxicity rating. Neem oil is also easier on predators and parasites and can help reduce the numbers of aphids when you release some beneficials to help. Be sure to check the neem oil label to be certain that it is safe for use on the crops you’re growing.

  Other sprays: Soap sprays and horticultural oils work well on aphids but must be used with care as they can also cause burning on sensitive plants. They will also kill any beneficial bugs you might have released if you get direct contact w/ the spray.

  Pyrethrins are botanically based and kill both good and bad bugs alike.

  Always when you spray follow the directions and spray the underside of the leaves where the critters hide and multiply!

• Alternative Garden Supply. Inc.

  www.alternativegarden.com, P.O. Box 662, Cary IL 60013, 1-800-444-2837
  Carries beneficial critters and other pest-controls. Mostly carries hydroponic systems, CO2 generators, lighting supplies and other indoor garden products.

• Applied Bionomics

  11074 W. Saanich Rd., Sidney, BC, Canada V8L 3X9
  If you are in Canada, this is a great source. If you are from the United States, you may need to get an importation permit to have bugs mailed across international borders.
  NOTE: To purchase insects from ­foreign countries, you must first obtain an import permit. Write to the USDA PPQ/APHIS, Federal Center Bld., Hyattsville, MD 20782. Ask for Permit Number 526.

• Arbico

  www.arbico-organics.com, P.O. Box 4247 CRB, Tucson, AZ  85738, 1-800-827-2847
  Also known as Arizona Biological Control. They have a good selection of beneficial insects, many for the greenhouse. Also other helpful products for growing plants.

• Beneficial Insectary

  www.insectary.com, 14751 Oak Run Road, Oak Run, CA 96069, 1-800-477-3715
  Carries beneficial critters for controlling aphid, whitefly, mites, and more.

• Biocontrol Network

  http://www.biconet.com. , 5116 Williamsburg Rd. Brentwood TN 37027 1-800-441-2847
  Carries an extensive list of greenhouse pest-control critters and products. Informative catalog

• Bionide Products, Inc.

  www.bonide.com, Oriskany, NY 13424
  Produces a number of garden insecticidal products. This site is not so much for the purchase of these products but is intended to educate the public about what they offer. Probably the one product best suited for the greenhouse gardener is their “Bon-neem insecticidal soap” product. It contains a comination of the botanical insecticide, Neem and soap.

• Charley’s Greeenhouses & Indoor Growing Supplies

  www.charleysgreenhouse.com, 17979 State Route 536, Mount Vernon, WA 98273, 1-800-322-4707
  Carries a wide variety of greenhouse beneficial critters for the home greenhouse gardener as well as an extensive line of greenhouse supplies. Great catalog! Great folks!

• Do My Own Pest Control

  www.domyownpestcontrol.com, This is a great site with an extensive list of products. Both earth safe, organic and otherwise.They offer free advice.

• Gardens Alive!®

  www.gardens-alive.com, 5100 Schenley Place, Lawrenceburg, IN 47025, 1-812-537-8650
  Informative catalog with a wide selection of many biological-based pest-controls, including beneficial predators parasites, beneficial nematodes, fertilizers and much more.

• Greenfire

  www.greenfire.net, 2527A Hwy 32 West, Chico CA 95973, 1-800-859-8307
  These folks carry a wide variety of pest control materials along with organic hydroponic supplies, lighting materials and more.

• The Green Spot, Ltd.

  www.greenmethods.com, 93 Priest Rd. Nottingham NH 03290-6204, 1-603-942-8925
  Carries an extensive selection of beneficial critters for the greenhouse. They also carry natural sprays, Tangletrap, books, supplies and more. The Green Methods Catalog by the folks at the Green Spot is winner of my Best of Show Award for having the most informative and fun to read pest control catalogs on the market. Write them for a catalog! It reads like a good novel, only everything really happens!

• Harmony Farm Supply and Nursery

  www.harmonyfarm.com, 3244 Gravenstein Hwy. North Sebastopol, CA 95472, 1-707-823-9125
  Carries a wide variety of growing supplies, pest-controls and beneficial insects.

• Hydro-Gardens, Inc.

  www.hydro-gardens.com, P.O. Box 9707, Colorado Springs, CO 80932, 1-800-634-6362
  Offers a wide variety of biological and other pest-control supplies and sprays for the commercial grower but also sells to the hobbyist.

• International Technology Services, Inc.

  www.beesandbugs.com. , P.O. Box 75, Lafayette CO  80026, 1-303-661-9546
  Carries a full line of beneficial critters and many biological-based sprays for the greenhouse. Carries the harder to find Aphelinus abdominalis and Aphidius ervi. Caters to both the small and larger growers. Inventory is expanding. Knowledgeable staff, quality products.

• IPM Laboratories

  www.ipmlabs.com, Main St., Locke, NY 13092-0099, 1-315-497-2063
  This company produces a very informative catalog and newsletter with helpful, expert information on using its many beneficial insects for greenhouses. Carries whitefly egg parasites and predators as well as a number of wasp parasites for aphid control including the difficult to find Aphelinus abdominalis and Aphidius ervi. They always carry a quality product.

• Kunafin

  www.kunafin.com , Rt. 1 Box 39, Quemado TX 78877 1-800-832-1113
  Carries ladybugs, lacewings and controls for house and barn flies.

• Ladies in Red

  www.ladiesinred.com, P.O. Box 2639, La Pine OR 97739, 1-541-536-6212
  Caries ladybugs (now I get the great name!) praying mantis and beneficial nematodes and more.

• M&R Durango, Inc.

  www.goodbug.com, P.O. Box 886, Bayfield, CO 81122. A.k.A. The Goodbug Company, (970) 259-3521
  Carries Encarsia formosa, thrips predator, spider-mite predator, green lacewing and more.

• Mellinger’s Nursery

  www.mellingers.com, 2310 W. South Range Rd., North Lima, OH 44452-9731, 1-800-321-7444
  Carries ladybugs, beneficial nematodes, Tanglefoot™ and Tangle Trap™ , sprays, equipment, and more.

• Nature’s Control

  bugsnc@teleport.com, P.O. Box 35, Medford, OR 97501, 1-541-899-8318
  Carries a wide variety of beneficial critters for the greenhouse and hydroponic supplies. Informative catalog.

• Neem Resources, The Ahimsa Alternative, Inc.

  www.neemresource.com, 5317 Whiting Avenue, Edina, MN 55439, 1-877-USE-NEEM, 405-528-0280
  Carries pure Neem Oil & Karanja Oil and other Neem products for natural pest controls.

• Peaceful Valley Farm Supply

  www.groworganic.com, P.O. Box 2209, Grass Valley, CA, 1-888-784-1722
  This is an extensive catalog of seeds, supplies, beneficial insects, pest-control products and more.

• Planet Natural

  www.planetnatural.com, 1612 Gold Ave., Bozeman, MT  59715, 1-800-289-6656
  Carries beneficial critters and a wide variety of natural-based gardening products.

• Rincon-Vitova Insectaries, Inc.

  www.rinconvitova.com, P.O. Box 1555, Ventura, CA 93002-1555, 1-800-248-2847
  Carries a wide variety of pest-control supplies and beneficial critters. Has large selection and have been in the business longer than most.

• Victor Pest and Safer Pest Control Products

  www.victorpest.com, 1-800-800-1819
  Carries a full line of poison free and least toxic pest control products. There is a search feature on pests, what they are, what diseases they may carry, and how to prevent infestations.

• We Gro-Rite

  1482 Fairview Rd., Andrews NC 28901, 1-828-321-4371
  These folks specialize in plants and growing systems for strawberry production in greenhouses but they also carry some beneficial insects and provide consulting services with pest control. Especially helpful for greenhouse strawberry growers.

• Worm’s Way

  http://wormsway.com, 7850 North Highway 37, Bloomington IN  47404, 1-800-274-9676
  Urban Farming Source Book™, carries beneficial critters for the home greenhouse gardener, hydroponic, lighting, books and other greenhouse and indoor gardening supplies