Ladybugs?

[2bohemians]

Speaking of natural pest controls... anyone know a good nontoxic way to control those fuzzy white hopping bugs that leave white fuzz behind on stems and undersides of leaves? The bugs are impossible to catch, they jump so far so fast, and the fuzz seems to keep my old faithful soap spray from doing much to slow them down.

They seem to suck the sap our of stems and leaves, while looking so innocent, and the nect thing you know a plant is decimated. What bugs eat these bugs? Think oil spray would slow them down? What good critters that are active now might be adversely affected with oil spray?

We're not sure we have the right identification but from what we have read -- those are wooly aphids / mealybugs. The cotton is a natural defense for them -- predators don't want to get a mouthful of cotton.

These bugs are our main problem right now. We've been using this Neem oil / garlic mixture and it works for a little while but they are always back the next day. Spraying them off with water is a temporary fix too just to get them off before they take over. We also read about changing your soil, washing the roots, sterilizing your container and then putting in new dirt but that doesn't really work if your plants are in the ground.

We've read about a specific type of moth that eats them, and a wasp too.

We are trying the ladybugs to see what happens. At the Niceville Garden Center they had ladybugs, praying mantis and nematodes. If the ladybugs don't seem to be helping, we may be back for the nematodes ... they were quite a few more dollars.

We also saw our first sign of scale today ... and a termite swarm down the whole street

Guess every living thing is loving this warm weather!

 

[Rita]

We're not sure we have the right identification but from what we have read -- those are wooly aphids / mealybugs. The cotton is a natural defense for them -- predators don't want to get a mouthful of cotton.

These bugs are our main problem right now. We've been using this Neem oil / garlic mixture and it works for a little while but they are always back the next day. Spraying them off with water is a temporary fix too just to get them off before they take over. We also read about changing your soil, washing the roots, sterilizing your container and then putting in new dirt but that doesn't really work if your plants are in the ground.

We've read about a specific type of moth that eats them, and a wasp too.

We are trying the ladybugs to see what happens. At the Niceville Garden Center they had ladybugs, praying mantis and nematodes. If the ladybugs don't seem to be helping, we may be back for the nematodes ... they were quite a few more dollars.

We also saw our first sign of scale today ... and a termite swarm down the whole street

Guess every living thing is loving this warm weather!

.
I have a friend who has kept a healthy population of nematodes going in her yard with one of the main intents being for termite control. If you buy nematodes, make sure the date on them is still OK and that they've been kept in freezer.

Here's a link to some non-chemical control measures for termites that include nematodes: http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/ent/notes/Urban/termites/nonchem.htm
excerpt:
"There has also been research on the use of entomopathogenic ("insect infecting") nematodes to control termites. Nematode-containing products have been used for many years against a variety of other pests, most notably in turf against soil-inhabiting white grubs and some caterpillars. Results for the use of nematodes against termites have been mixed, but continued work in this area may someday result in an effective product."

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[Susan Horn]

Thanks, everybody, for the tips on mealybugs. I haven't ever used oils so didn't want to try one that would do more harm than good. I have some neem so I might try that -- I've read it is generally safe for all the good guys. I love having so many knowledgeable gardeners here to help me out!

 

[DuneLaker]

Eastern Lake Nursery has an organic spray that I've had good luck with in the past. Let us know how your lady bugs perform. Would certainly consider giving that a try.

 

[Rita]

Thanks, everybody, for the tips on mealybugs. I haven't ever used oils so didn't want to try one that would do more harm than good. I have some neem so I might try that -- I've read it is generally safe for all the good guys. I love having so many knowledgeable gardeners here to help me out!

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I forgot about Neem Oil. Would agree that it is a better choice environmentally than Ultra Fine. Have seen better results at times with the UF Oil but Neem is less likely to harm beneficials. My vote is for the Neem ...

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