Beneficial Insects

PLEASE READ BEFORE ORDERING: Beneficial insects will be shipped immediately when ordered unless prior arrangements have been made with our office. Delayed shipments are not always possible. Additional shipping charges may be applied to delayed shipments. Biological controls have been used for thousands of years, and they should be a part of your pest control program. Beneficial insects work by attacking pest insects thus reducing their numbers. It is important to note that total elimination of pests is not required to grow good crops; it is only necessary to reduce pests below the damage threshold for the crop being grown. When using beneficial insects, it is important to avoid disruptive chemicals. Complete instructions included with each order. All our beneficial insects are available year–round except the Praying Mantis eggs, which are not available August through December. We recommend releasing beneficial insects outdoors from April through September, based on your local weather conditions. They may be released in your greenhouse anytime. Available only within the contiguous US.

Praying Mantis Egg Case

Tenodera sinensis When placed in a warm location, each egg case will produce up to 200 young mantises within about 8 weeks. These outstanding predators eat a large amount of insects around the garden and landscape. Please be aware that praying mantises will eat both good and bad bugs. They should be placed out to hatch in an open container, by July 1st. Order by June 15th.

ZBG015...................1 egg case .............. $12.95 Spider Mite Predators Phytoseiulus persimilis/Neoseiulus californicus/Mesoseiulus longipes Each spider mite predator sucks the juice out of about 5 spider mites a day, or 20 of their eggs. They also breed twice as fast! Used as directed, predators should noticeably begin to gain control within 4 weeks, and then continue until the spider mites are nearly or completely wiped out. Shipped live and ready for use. Comes with complete instructions. Spider Mite Predators are shipped express.

ZBG032 ................. 500 ct...............$49.95 ZBG033 ................1,000 ct .............$69.95

Green Lacewings Eats both aphids and whiteflies! Chrysopa rufilabris This is a voracious predator, attacking almost any soft-bodied insect that crosses its path. Best known for eating aphids and whiteflies (up to 60 per hour). Lacewings are shipped to you hatching or close to hatching by the time you receive them. When released they will lay eggs and provide several generations of predators. About 5,000–10,000 lacewings will cover the average yard. Complete instructions are included. Green lacewings are shipped express and should be released upon arrival. Predatory Nematodes Works on soil dwelling pests! Steinernematid/Heterorhabditis Predatory nematodes attack soft-bodied, slow-moving insect pests. They do not affect earthworms or plants. They are the only biological control that works below the soil surface. Apply in a spray tank or fertilizer injection system when soil temperatures are above 55°F. One package of 1 million nematodes treats up to 3000 square feet. You may store the nematodes in a refrigerator for up to 1 month. Information sheet included in each package. Ladybugs Ladybugs feast on aphids! Hippodamia convergens Ladybugs will eat over 5000 aphids and other soft bodied pests during their 1 year life span. To keep the ladybugs in your yard or garden, release them when insect pests are present. One package of 1500 will be enough for a small garden or greenhouse. Ladybugs should be released upon arrival or stored in the refrigerator for a short time. Ladybugs are not available during a couple of weeks in May and June. We ship as soon as ordered or as soon as they are available. 18,000 size is shipped express.

ZBG017.......................1,500 .................. $16.95 ZBG018..................... 18,000...............$129.95

BENEFICIAL BUG MIX

Beneficial Bug Mix

7 This mixture will attract beneficial bugs to your garden! The 18 species mix includes varieties such as Bishop’s Flower, dill, and rockcress. Attracts lacewings, lady beetles, syrphid flies, tachinid flies, and trichogramma wasps. Best planted spring, early summer, and fall. Planting rate: 3 ½–6 ½ ounces per 1000 square feet; 9–18 pounds per acre.

FL2432C BENEFICIAL BUG MIX 2 grams 7 grams 1 oz $4.45 $6.85 $12.95 ½ lb 1 lb $49.85 $83.95

BEE FEED MIX

7 Keep the bees coming back with this colorful blend of 20 types of flowers specially selected for their nectar and pollenproducing ability. Providing an entire season of food for honey bees, bumble bees and other native species of bees, this mix is ideal to support their population. Increasing bee populations throughout the summer means that your veggies will have plenty of pollinators to keep the yields at a maximum. Planting rate: 3–6 ounces per 1000 square feet; 8–16 pounds per acre.