GreenMethods.com
Archived Bug Blog Entries

When the predatory mite Neoseiulus =Amblyseius swirskii was first announced earlier this year and credited with having the potential to control whiteflies and other pests, we were pretty interested. Seemingly overnight this predator was introduced and offered for sale. But having seen quick introductions of this sort go bad before — and us wasting time and money researching and creating the supporting materials to properly purvey them only to be able to say we were offering the critter de jour — we decided to wait for some feedback and for science to catch up with marketing. We’re glad we did as we’ve recently got some not-so-favorable reports indicating that the jury is indeed still out for deliberations.

Continue reading “Swirskii the Terrible?” »

We were surprised by how many questions were going to be generated by readers of our last article, “Buying Nematodes” but it’s good to know we have readers. Nobody wrote, even though we are always open to getting feedback (comments now closed), but many people called. They wanted to know the facts behind the differences in commercially-produced nematodes. The fact there were differences was well received and many realize shopping for nematodes doesn’t have to be as confusing as it seems, but people are inquisitive and really wanted to know why.

Continue reading “Nematode Differences” »

When you go to the store to buy shampoo there are myriad choices, but basically the offerings are all the same, at least as it comes to application: Wet your hair, deposit a small amount of shampoo in the palm of your hand, a puddle of ‘poo equivalent to the diameter of a dime or quarter, depending on how much hair you have. Then you lather the shampoo into your hair. Oh, and we can’t forget: “Rinse and repeat.” There is a lot of product consistency. The shopper knows this and either has a brand preference or chooses on price, comparing the per-ounce-price. Simple, right?

Continue reading “Buying Nematodes” »

S. scarabaei is highly effective as a curative white grub control.

We received an email today from Gary Fish, of the Maine Board of Pesticides Control, concerning a new highly-pathogenic and -specific white grub-killing nematode: Steinernema scarabaei. Mr. Fish was looking for production sources. With a motto of “Think First, Spray Last,” the Maine State Government is excited to have yet another tool at their disposal to help Maine growers manage pests without poisons — the lobsters are happy about it, too.

Continue reading “New White Grub Nematode” »

Applied Bio-nomics strongly suspected there was a better way and decided to go with instinct instead of what was fashionable

In a paper dated November 4th, 2005, one of our producers, Applied Bionomics Ltd., explained the advantages of “fresh” Encarsia formosa. We’ve been aware of this for awhile, and the rearing/shipping practice has been in effect a long time, but finally, now that the research findings are in, it’s time to spread the word.

Continue reading “Fresh Encarsia Max” »

Store them in a paper or cloth bag in your refrigerator and deploy them when needed

Wouldn’t it be nice if biological pest control agents were free? Uh huh, it would. Well, some are if you know where to look. And if the good bug you’re looking for happens to be Harmonia axyridis, then this is one time of the year to open those eyes and take a look around. And while you’re at it, you may as well grab a large paper bag. You’re going to need it.

Continue reading “Grab Them Bugs!” »