Here’s a complete listing of our recommended biocontrol agent release rates. Adjust these rates as your situation dictates, experiment, but do so cautiously. Read up, starting with the information below, or jump right to the rate tables menu.
Need to Know
When determining the application rates for biocontrol agents many factors must be considered, the density of the planting, its location and environment, the pest type and numbers in question, and your needs. Before randomly releasing biocontrol agents, there questions must be answered. Here we will briefly address each question so as to indicate what information we are after, exactly.
- Density:
- Not only does this very important parameter refer to planted floor space — which we figure in square yards if the area is 70% planted or more , in structures (or actual percentage if less than 70%) — it also refers to the volume. For the true answer to this question look at the height of your plants (not from the ground up, but foliage only), figure the square yardage covered, then figure the numbers of three foot levels in height. In other words, for taller plantings we should be interested in cubic yardage, versus square yardage. In meters, add 10% to all rates, doing, otherwise the same math.
- Location and Environment:
- Simple answers here. Is it a greenhouse, nursery, interiorscape, home garden or field? Inside or outside? Dry or humid? Hot or cold, etc.?
- Pest Type:
- Aphids, whiteflies, thrips, fungus gnats, don’t know, etc.?
- Numbers in Question:
- Preventive work, low infestation, medium, high, are they killing you?
- Your Needs:
- Short-term crop, in a hurry, long-term, stable crop, time is unimportant? This information is needed.
Legend of Terms
To properly use the tables which follow, you’ll need to have an understanding of the terms and abbreviation we use.
- Prvnt:
- Prevention; before one pest is seen. Meaning zero pests.
- Ctrl-L:
- Low infestation, from the first sign of a single pest to small flare-up.
- Ctrl-M:
- Moderate Infestation, it’s spreading slightly and you’re concerned.
- Ctrl-H:
- High infestation, greenhouse wide to a point of desperation. Give up?
- Maint:
- Used after the infestation is under control; maintain minor establishment.
- Grdn:
- Garden rate percentage for outdoor plots under one acre.
- Acre+:
- Acre rate percentage for outdoor applications for over one acres.
- /yd:
- Per square or cubic yard, depending on crop height.
- Weekly:
- Releases made on a weekly basis; one release per week.
- Bi-wkly:
- Releases made on a bi-weekly basis; one release every other week.
- Tri-wkly:
- Releases made on a tri-weekly basis; one release every third week.
- Mnthly:
- Releases made on a monthly basis; one release every fourth week actually.
- Qtrly:
- Releases made on a quarterly basis; one release every thirteenth week.
- Annually:
- Releases made on a annual basis; one release per year.
- Bi-:
- Releases made on an “every other” basis, i.e., bi-mnthly would be every other month.
- As needed:
- As long as needing preventive releases exists. This applies to zero pests only.
- Indef:
- For so long as you have attained “control” and require status quo. Keeps your program alive.
The Release Rates
On these pages you’ll find rates for:
Aphid Biocontrols
Caterpillar Biocontrols
Leafminer Biocontrols
Scale and Mealybug Biocontrols
Soil Pest Biocontrols
Spider Mite Biocontrols
Thrips Biocontrols
Whitefly Biocontrols
Other Biocontrols
Need more help? It is available. Feel free to Contact Us.
