Your garden is the ultimate source of healthful vegetables and fruits . There really is nothing like that first tomato or Cucumis sativus of the time of year . But what about when your beautiful , organically fertilized , cautiously groomed , heirloom vegetables are struck with a plague of rudesap - take up insectsor leaf - chomping caterpillars ? It can be extremely disheartening . We are left walking the pesticide aisle of our garden center scratching our Kuki-Chin at what product would be least harmful to the environment and those do it one go through your produce . Even organically produced pesticide can be harmful to the good guys in your garden . So even if you prefer to treat the bad bugs with product like Neem rock oil orDiatomaceous Earth , please take care not to treat your local bee universe or the range of other beneficial bugs that should be present in a sizeable organic garden . Though a subject for another article this can certainly be done safely with proper care .
I ’d like to offer you a dissimilar option , one that is both good and effective for many of those threatening garden insect . Biological Controlis the use of predatory louse – also sleep together as good insects – to control the undesirable dirt ball in your garden . Basically , you premise more of the “ good bugs , ” and they consume most of the “ bad bugs , ” or at least devour enough of them that your plant will have a chance to regain . The problem comes when we see an overpopulation of garden plague and too few of their natural vulture . introduce more of the predatory species is a great solution to this common problem .
“Good insects” and the “bad” bugs they prey on
Lady Beetles
Beloved by children for their adorable coloring and harmless nature , the ladybug is not harmless to a bunch of Aphids . They can also prey on “ rootworms , whiteflies , Cimex lectularius bugs , Colorado Potato Beetles , mealybug , shell , and wanderer soupcon ” ( taken from Storey , J. & Storey M. ( 1999).Common Garden Insects . In G. Linder , Linder Creative Services , Storey ’s Basic Country Skills : A Practical Guide to Self - Reliance ) .
Trichogramma Wasps
A tiny parasitic white Anglo-Saxon Protestant that destroys the orchis of foliage - munching caterpillars such as Tomato Horn Worm , Armyworm , Cutworm , Corn Earworm , Borers , and Codling Moth Caterpillars .
Praying Mantis
The praying mantis is a savage predator that will help to control a assortment of insects admit the cucumber vine mallet , aphids , and almost anything else that crosses its path . beg Mantis may be a good choice if you have a variety of these insects plague your garden .
Green Lacewing
A good garden worm , the green lacewing larvae is a predatory animal to many soft - bodied insects . Introducing Green Lacewings can assist control aphids , beetle larvae and whitefly to name a few . Green lacewings are another estimable alternative for handle a varied group of louse pest .
Parasitic Nematodes
Thesebeneficial nematodesare usable in unlike species , each of which preys on specific insects . They are known to help keep in line insect larvae that live in the land such as fungus gnat larvae and sweet-scented potato weevil larvae . They have been allege to aggress other larvae such as rootworms , cutworms , corn whiskey earworm moths , and borers .
Where to buy beneficial insects
These good bugs are relatively easy to discover online and many site offer predatory insect for sales agreement . While some of these insects are more difficult to breed and ship and , therefore , fetch a higher toll , many are quite low-priced . For around twenty dollar you’re able to purchase enough to treat the average sized garden . Once you ’ve decide on the correct command insect for your problem , just order the appropriate species and follow the instructions give with the critter .
How to release beneficial insects into your garden
There are a few special considerations such as temperature , water , and time of day for spillage . Most of these insect need lovesome weather , around 65 - 90F. Water misting in the area of release or on the louse themselves is usually necessary . According to Arbico-Organics.com , there is more care needed for success when starting with the ballock they have available for some species , though the cost investment is less .
Some people choose to think up their mantis indoors to ensure they are protected from predators . Essentially , you will set the louse out in the garden and leave them to do their normal thing . That is the beauty of tend on biological control – the insects already know what to do . Happy Gardening .
