Have you read the introductory First Thing’s First?
Other Control Agents
Fly Parasitoid spp.
Sprinkle contents in problem fly areas or place in pre-placed, wide-mouthed receptacles. Apply to dry, un-trodden locations which will be not bothered for 3-5 days. For larger application areas, mixed the bag’s contents with additional pine shavings or bedding in order to make controlled, evenly spread releases more possible. Do not store the emerged adult wasps for more than 6 hours. Hold at a moderately humid 55-65°F. Do not attempt to cold-store the wasps’ pupae for more than 4 days. Hold at a slightly humid 45-50°F (fridge best).
[ Menu ]
Tenodera aridifolia sinensis
Please note that Tenodera aridifolia sinensis, the praying mantis, is not to be used as a reliable biological pest control agent! To hatch a praying mantis egg case store it in the hatching bag that comes with the egg case. Hold the hatching bag closed with a paper clip to facilitate easy entry to check conditions. The bag should be held at a consistent 80-95°F in a slightly to moderately humid, shaded location until hatch begins (check twice daily). Allow up to fourteen weeks for hatch, especially if high temperatures are not consistent. Once hatched, release mantises by opening the bag and sprinkling out the nymphs onto the foliage of your plants. Maintain as much distance as possible (1 yard per mantid is a good minimum) between release points because these insects are very cannibalistic and territorial. Do not cold store these mantid’s egg cases beyond the first week of June. Hold at a moderately humid 35-45 degrees F (fridge best) until ready to begin hatching procedures as described above. Release hatched mantid’s nymphs immediately.
[ Menu ]
Pediobius foveolatus
Store the mummies in the emergence jar provided at 70-80°F in a moderately to highly humid, shaded location until emergence begins (check twice daily). Allow up to 7 days for emergence. When the “mummies” begin to emerge, release at sundown the same day. To release, open the emergence jar in the crop and allow the wasps to fly out on their own as you walk among the plants. You can speed up their exit by gently tapping them out. If they begin to exit too quickly or if dispersal control is not manageable (which may happen when they’re warm), re-secure the cap between release points or remove the filter paper and release the parasitoids through the lid’s opening. Concentrate the bulk of them at release points on or near the most heavily infested plants. Do not store the emerged adult wasps in the jar for more than 6 hours. Hold at a moderately to highly humid 55-65°F.
[ Menu ]
Podisus maculiventris
If not yet hatched, hold the tube containing the pearl-like eggs at 68-87°F in slightly to moderately humid, shaded location until hatch begins (check once daily). Allow up to 10 days to hatch. To determine if hatch has begun, look for the tiny nymphs crawling amongst the contents of the tube (they can be difficult to locate). Do not allow the nymphs to remain in the bag for extended periods, they will be very thirsty and will want to get to work right away. If you’re in doubt about whether or not they’ve hatched, release the contents right away evenly throughout the crop area. If you’ve purchased nymphs, you can start here. Release at sundown by sprinkling the contents of the bag directly onto the foliage of the infested plants. Try to sprinkle the eggs or nymphs in areas which will not receive full sun for too long nor be trampled or doused with water right away. In either case, beware of ants which may eat the unhatched eggs. When hatched, these predators are capable of biting. Do not store the hatched true bugs’ nymphs for more than 4 hours. Hold at a slightly to moderately humid 50-60°F. Do not cold-store the unhatched true bugs’ eggs for more than 2 days. If cold storage is possible, hold at a slightly to moderately humid 45-50°F (fridge best).
[ Menu ]
Pseudoscymnus tsugae
Release these beetles at sundown the day of receipt. To release, simply fix or wedge the hemlock branches onto a hemlock tree centrally located in the area needing control. Please note that the tree on which the release is taking place should be one which is heavily infested, but not under stress — the chosen tree should be healthy and vigorous. That’s it! Do not store the beetles and hemlock branches for more than 6 hours. Hold at a moderately humid 50-60°F — preferably in the box in which they’re shipped.
[ Menu ]
Bombus impatiens
Important: Bombus impatiens are bumblebees. Bumblebees have “stingers” and can sting you. If you are or may be allergic to bee stings, do not use bees for pollination. Instructions vary from manufacturer to manufacturer. Refer to the instructions included with the hive. Now, that said, in summary, you want to place them in your greenhouse or field in a steady unmolested and unwatered location with a clear flight path. Ensure the hive does not touch the greenhouse supports as fan vibration can bother the bees. You may need to “open the food” or “break the seal” and the like, but it’s pretty simple and straightforward. Allow the hive to rest in a the shaded, protected location it’ll be set in and allow the bees settle down before actually opening the hive.
[ Menu ]
