Fly Parasites (More Information) Fly parasites are an excellent method to control flies around barns, paddocks, fields, or within poultry and egg laying farms. Fly parasites are small parasitic wasps that are shipped developing inside fly pupae, however, some adults may be emerging at the time of delivery. Wasps will not sting, bite or otherwise harm humans or animals. Fly parasites are introduced in colonies of 7,500, and 15,000. Each parasite emerges from parasitized fly pupae. It is best to release within 48 hours of delivery unless storage is available at 10-12 degrees Celsius is assured with good air circulation.	Application Place fly parasites in fine net bags and hang out of reach of animals for direct fly control in the barn. Fly parasites can also be applied directly to manure or compost. It is best to scratch a trench about 1" deep in the compost and spread the fly parasites in the trench and then cover with compost or manure. This protects them from rodents and birds. When the fly parasites hatch they will crawl out of the compost and start searching for fly pupae. The adults will burrow several inches into the compost in search of their prey. Application Rates Poultry 6 fly parasites per bird every two weeks Dairies 500 parasites per lactating cow every 2 weeks, 2,000 per calf every two weeks Feedlots 600 parasites per cow every two weeks Stables 1000 parasites per horse every 2 weeks Llamas, Alpacas 500 parasites per animal every two weeks Heavier applications may be required if fly problem is severe. back
Parasitic nematodes Beneficial nematodes are naturally occurring organisms and are not harmful to humans, pets, wildlife, birds, soil, earthworms, water sources or the atmosphere. Nematodes migrate through the soil finding insect larvae by detecting either a slight increase in temperature or release of methane gas. The infective juvenile nematodes enter the larvae and release a symbiotic bacteria that kills the host within days. The nematodes feed on the bacteria and the decomposed host tissue where they reproduce until an overpolpulation drives them out to find a new host. Nematodes are effective against over 250 species of pest insects. In field crops they infect and kill caterpillars, cutworms, grubs, root worms, wire worms and other pests. For greenhouses they are particularly effective against fungus gnats, and aid in the control of pupating thrips in the soil. Orchard pest control is enhanced against codling moth and Lepidopteran pests, including those that bore into tree bark or are in the soil during various stages of their life cycle. For turf and lawns, nematodes are particularly effective against cranefly larva, June bug larva and other turf damaging grubs. Nematodes are an effective supplement for your fly parasite program in barns and stables. Nematodes come as a mixture of Steinernema and Heterorhabiditis sp., however custom mixtures are available for special applications. Also available are nematodes for colder applications (early spring) or for very hot temperatures.	Application Nematodes arrive on a damp sponge within a plastic bag or pouch and should be used as soon as possible. If not used immediately you can refrigerate up to one week. Do Not Freeze. The sponge should be warmed to room temperature then soaked in at least one gallon of room temperature [non-chlorinated] water for an additional half-hour. Rinse remaining nematodes from sponge. Do not let the nematodes sit in the water container for more than two hours as they will drown. Apply using either a watering can or a sprayer. If a sand filter is on sprayer, remove before application. Do not apply in full sunlight. Nematodes are best applied during periods of cool, cloudy weather or in the evening of early spring or late summer when the danger of frost has passed. For large field applications nematodes come in plastic flasks in a clay medium with instructions. Application Rates   Maintenance levels Curative levels 5 million 500 sq feet 250 sq ft 50 million 5000 sq feet 2500 sq ft 200 million 20000 sq feet 10000 sq feet 500 million 1 acre 1/2 acre back
Ladybugs - Hippodamia convergens The adults of this ladybug are about 4-7 mm long, elongated in shape and are red colored with black spots. The eggs are yellow and laid in small clusters close to the aphids. The alligator shaped larvae are black with orange spots. The larvae and adult stages of ladybugs feed on aphids and other soft bodied pest insects. Each ladybug can consume as many as 5,000 aphids during life-time of about 1 year. Ladybugs over-winter in large colonies and are sometimes seen coming the attics or foundations of buildings and homes. They emerge and congregate on the south facing walls before dispersing. Many people are concerned at such large concentrations but this is a good occurrence. Be Happy.	Application Ladybugs come in various size release units. Introduce the ladybugs on the infected plants in the evening or early morning to avoid them flying away. Mist plants or ladybugs lightly with water before releasing. If possible cover the infested plants with a light cheese cloth or other breathable cover that will keep the ladybugs on your plants for a longer time period. Application Rates Curative: 10-100 per square meter/ 1- 10 per square foot back
Phytoseiulus persimilis Phytoseiulus persimilis is a shiny, red, pear-shaped predatory mite [0.5 mm-1/50 in] with long legs. Persimilis moves faster than spider mites and can provide an effective control. The eggs of persimilis are oval and twice as big as spider mite eggs. Larvae and nymphs are pale pink to light red. The nymphs and adults feed on all stages of the spider mite. Phytoseiulus persimilis is delivered on bean leaves with 1,000 or 2,000 adults and nymphs.	Application Apply bean leaves to the upper canopy of plants distributing evenly. Introduce the beneficials as soon as possible after receipt, if storage is necessary, keep them at 8 -10° Celsius [46-50° F]. Phytoseiulus persimilis is sensitive to high temperature and low relative humidities. Humidity of 60% or lower has a negative effect on the hatching of the eggs and development of larvae. If spider mite problems occur in a hot and dry environment, Feltiella acarisuga, Phytoseiulus longipes or Amblyseius californicus will provide better control. Mist or spray the infected plants with pure water if humidity drops after the persimilis is applied. Application Rates Curative: 1 - 2 leaves per square meter [0.2 - 0.4 per square foot], repeat after 2 weeks if necessary. Hotspots: 10 - 15 per square meter [1 - 1.5 per square foot], repeat if necessary. back
Feltiella acarisuga Feltiella acarisuga are tiny midges that feed on two spotted spider mites. These predatory midges are effective destroyers of spider mites and a very promising biological control for tomatoes, cucumbers, sweet peppers, other greenhouse crops and field crops, including strawberries and raspberries, where spider mite infestations are a problem. Feltiella work best on crops which have hairy stems. Of particular interest to greenhouse growers, they have been shown to work quite effectively on tomatoes on which P. persimilis have been ineffective.	Application Feltiella is sold in release units of 250, which can be hung in the crop and opened for quick release. Included in the unit is a bottle of OvistimTM, which encourages Feltiella to lay more eggs in that area. Just mist the heavily infected areas with Ovistim and this increases reproduction and control. Application Rates Preventative: 250 pupae per hot spot - every week for at least 4 weeks Curative [severe infestation]: 4 x 250 pupae per acre - every week for at least 4 weeks Field Application: 4 per acre - 2 applications back
Amblyseius cucumeris This tiny tan colored mite forages on the leaves of plants and eats the small thrips larvae. These predators work best when applied early to prevent thrips numbers from increasing.	Application A. cucumeris is packaged in a granular bran mixture in 1 litre tube, or 3 litre pails. To apply bulk mix, mist leaves lightly and sprinkle directly on leaves or place in small pile, 1/2 to 1 teaspoon per plant directly on soil or rock wool blocks. A. cucumeris is packaged at 50,000 per litre. Application Rates Preventative: 50 per square metre/5 per square foot - every 1-2 weeks Curative: 100 per square metre/10 per square foot - every week back
Podisus maculiventris Podisus targets many pest species including cabbage loopers, Colorado potato beetle, tobacco hornworm, fall webworm, beet armyworm, Eastern tent caterpillar, Mexican bean beetle as well as Foxglove aphid and Lygus beetle. Development and longevity are dependant on both temperature and prey availability. Average lifespan is 50-80 days. Adult Podisus are highly mobile, they will spread rapidly throughout the crop by walking and flying. Nymphs can quickly walk from plant to plant.	Application Podisus adults are shipped in release units of 100 per bottle with vermiculite, keep very cool, apply as soon as possible. Eggs are shipped in a vial with cut beans. For best hatching, the condition should be warm and high humidity. Application Rates Adults/nymphs Preventative: 1 per plant - reapply if pests are still present Curative: 5 - 10 per plant - reapply if heavy infestation Eggs Preventative: Spread a vial of 250 eggs evenly over 100-150 plants Curative: It is not recommended that eggs be used to cure a problem as they will take several days to hatch out and start feeding. back
Hypoaspis miles This product is applied evenly on the soil or in little piles at the base of the plants. The soil or sawdust must be moist, but not too wet. It takes several weeks [depending on the introduction rate] until Hypoaspis miles is well established in the soil. It is therefore important to introduce the product at the beginning of the crop. Hypoaspis miles feeds on soil inhabiting stages of different insects and mites such as, fungus gnat larvae, thrips pupae, springtails and mould mites. Hypoaspis is delivered in a 1 litre tube or 3 litre pail mixed with soil mix. One litre contains 25,000 predatory mites.	Application Place a teaspoon of Hypoaspis at the base of infected plants. Application Rates Preventative: 100 per square metre/ 10 per square foot Curative: 250-500 per square metre/ 25-50 per square foot back
Orius insidiosus Orius insidiosus is a predatory bug 2mm [1 1/2 in] long. Adults are black and white, nymphs are colorless, then later they turn yellow to brown. All stages have red eyes. Their eggs are embedded in the plant tissue and are not very visible. Orius is a generalist predator and feeds on thrips, spidermites, moth eggs, whiteflies and aphids. Orius nymphs feed mainly on the larval stages of the thrips. Older nymphs and the adults feed on the 2 larval stages and on adult thrips.	Application Spread throughout infected area. Application Rates Preventative: 0.25 per square metre/0.025 per square foot - at least 4 introductions Curative: 1 - 5 per square metre/0.1 - 0.5 per square foot - once or twice in hot spots back
Cryptolaemus montrouzieri Cryptolaemus is a small dark brown ladybug with an orange head and tail. The larvae are up to 13mm long and are white with a wax like covering. The pupae are found in sheltered places, stems, underside of leaves, greenhouse structures. The adults and larvae feed on all stages of the mealy bugs. Young Cryptolaemus and larvae prefer mealy bug eggs and smaller stages of the mealy bug. When no mealy bug is present Cryptolaemus will also feed on aphids and scale. Release Cryptolaemus on the infected plants in the evening or early morning. Cryptolaemus is available in bottles of 25, 100, 250, or tubs of 2500 for field release.	Application Distribute contents of the vial over plants or trees to be treated. Application Rates Interiorscapes: 5 - 10 per plant / 100 on large trees - weekly - 2 introductions Orchards: 2,500 - 12,500 per hectare / 1,000 - 5,000 per acre - repeat as necessary back
Encarsia formosa Encarsia formosa is a small parasitic wasp which preys on greenhouse whitefly, sweet potato whitefly and silverleaf whitefly. Adult female Encarsia parasitize mainly the 3rd and 4th larval stage of the whitefly. About ten days after being parasitized the pupa of the whitefly turns black. Two days later Encarsia pupates and eight days later the adult emerges through a round hole. Adult Encarsia feed on young whitefly larvae and on honeydew. Encarsia is available on 1K cards or in 5K vials. Introduce Encarsia bulk on a dry surface or in cups, cards are simply hung in the crops.	Application Hang cards throughout crop with concentration in heavily infected area. Loose encarsia should be spread on the top of the plants throughout the crop. Application Rates Preventative: 1-2 per square metre / 0.1 0.2 per square foot - every 1-2 weeks Curative: 2-4 per square metre / 0.2-0.4 per square foot - every week for at least 5 weeks back
Preying Mantis The preying mantis is sometimes called the dragon of the insect world because it is such a fierce hunter. Mantis nymphs may molt five to ten times in all, depending on the species and some are quite large reaching 3 to 4 inches in length. They grow larger with each molt. The last time it slips out of its tight skin, it will have fully formed wings. At first, they are wrinkled and pale. Soon they are stretched out and begin to dry. They do not bite humans, damage household furnishings, nor spread disease. While the preying mantis plays a very important part in nature's insect control plan, one should not expect to achieve total pest control with the use of preying mantis alone. Nevertheless, the mantis is the only predator which feeds at night on moths (most moths are active only after darkness) and the only predator fast enough to catch mosquitoes and flies. Since mantis are quite large and more visible than most beneficial insects, they are "fun" to watch, and children are fascinated to see a Preying Mantis grasp its prey.	Application Place preying mantis egg case in warm humid area. Approximately 150-300 mantids will emerge within a few weeks. Application Rates For best pest control, use one case per 1000 sq. ft. back
Bumblebees Bumblebees are one of nature's most effective pollinators. They are less aggressive than honey bees and can work at a much lower light level. This increases the length of day that the bumblebees are active. Each hive has one queen and numerous workers. Bumblebees are used extensively inside greenhouses and over the past few years are being used to pollinate field crops including raspberries, blueberries and orchard fruits.	Application Place hive in center of area to be pollinated. Make sure the hive will remain dry. Application Rates Use two hives per acre - replace each eight weeks (in greenhouses). back
Aquabac Discovered in Israel in 1977, Bti (BT israeliensis) is a beneficial soil bacterium (microbial) and a completely organic form of pest control. It is specific for the control of mosquito larvae (wigglers) & black fly larvae, which develop in shallow & stagnant waters. Directly following ingestion mortality exceeding 80% can be expected within 48 hrs. BT i does not harm people, pets, livestock, birds, fish, or plants.	Application Spread granular BT i directly on water that contains mosquito larvae. Dunks can be anchored with string to prevent them from being washed away. Application Rates The granular BT i should be broadcast at 500 gm per 1/4 acre every 7 - 14 days during mosquito season. back