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Bug Patrol

Winter Gardener : Episode TWG-112 -- More Projects »
Sooner or later, the bad bugs are going to make their appearance in the garden--indoors or out. But we don't always have to turn to pesticides to control the bad insects.

Of course, you'd expect to see plant pests outdoors, but homeowners often unknowingly bring pests (spider mites, whiteflies, etc.) inside with their plants as well. You don't have to resort to toxic methods to gain control, however. If soapy water, rubbing alcohol or light oil spray doesn't work, you can try beneficial bugs.
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These green lacewing adults lay eggs on plant stalks. When the larvae hatch, they immediately begin feeding on plant pests.
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Aphid parasites lay their eggs inside aphids. Each developing parasite uses the dying aphid as a cocoon until the adult is ready to emerge.
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These minute red dots are predator mites; they eat the young of pest spider mites (the bad guys).

If you suspect you have a bad-bug problem, use a hand lens, inspect the underside of the leaf--particularly along the veins--and look for eggs or immature stages of insects. Adult insects aren't really indicative of where your pest population is causing damage. If you see the eggs or larvae, it's time to apply the good bugs.
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Lacewing larvae come packed with rice hulls (as a carrier material). Rotate the bottle to redistribute them, open the stopper and shake over the plant to be treated.
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Hanging lacewing egg cards: the green stripes hold lacewing eggs, mixed with a food source (brown in color). Each perforated tab can be removed and hung from a plant. The eggs will hatch and the larvae will move out onto the plant. In a general rule, a card like this will cover about 250 sq. feet of garden space.
How long will it take to achieve noticeable reductions in pests? It depends on the pest in question, the type of beneficial insect you're using, and the general conditions. But somewhere between a week or two and a month, you should start noticing a difference.

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Some insect predators are so minute that they are packed inside seed hulls (these black spots here) for ease of application.
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This packet contains whitefly parasites. Simply suspend the packet from the plant, allow them to emerge and begin work.

Also in this Episode
Winter Gardener : Episode TWG-112
•Bug Patrol
•Bug Trap
•Winter Cloaks
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