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Some Common Questions answered...At what time of year should I use them?The general rule is that the natural predators and parasites do best in temperatures above 15°C (60°F). They will not die until nearly freezing, but they will not be able to gain control of the pests in low temperatures and low light levels. Chemical sprays should not be used for at least 4 weeks before introducing beneficial insects as most chemicals have long lasting residual effects. Having considered the best environment for the predator, the next thing to consider is when the prey is active. You need to check out the life cycle of the pest. What happens once the Biological Control has eradicated the pests? Given satisfactory conditions, the beneficial predator or parasite population will continue to grow as long as there are pests to feed on. As they are generally highly selective in their diet, once they have cleared up the pest problem they will either die off, or fly off to search for food elsewhere. How do I know which pests I have? Because each control is very specific, correct identification of the pests is essential. Check your plants regularly to ensure that you are aware of any problems and can order Biological Controls as early as possible. Sticky deposits and black sooty mould are danger signals and require investigation. It could be due to whitefly, greenfly, scale or mealybug infestations. How much do I need? Each control pack is sufficient for a conservatory or greenhouse of about 3 x 4m containing an average number of plants. Where 2 or more batches are ordered to be sent at the same time, a discount rate applies. Is there anything I can do now, before my Biological Controls arrive? Reducing pest numbers will decrease the time needed to eradicate the problem. Squashing them or spraying them with Organic Pest Control Spray where possible will leave lower numbers of remaining pests to be dealt with. The Organic Pest Control Spray kills insects on contact and is therefore equally harmful to beneficial insects and pests alike. However they do not have any lingering residual harmful effect once dry. For Month by Month information, refer to our Year Calendar. |
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