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Sound Horticulture Bug Blog

Elaine Sawyer
Written by Elaine Sawyer
Filed under
Biocontrol, Encarsia, Encarsia formosa, Whitefly control, Whitefly parasitoid

Encarsia, Welcome to the Dark Side

Elaine Sawyer
Written by Elaine Sawyer
Encarsia, Welcome to the Dark Side
Encarsia formosa is a whitefly predator and parasitoid. The advantages of using Encarsia as a biocontrol agent were recognized over one hundred years ago when an English tomato grower observed whitefly pupae that were once white turning black, and Encarsia emerging from the darkened pupae.  Continue reading
Elaine Sawyer
Written by Elaine Sawyer
Filed under
clean, disinfectants, Horticulture, IPM, pests, Physan 20, prevention, sanitation

Clean and Green is the Dream

Elaine Sawyer
Written by Elaine Sawyer
Clean and Green is the Dream
Imagine a sparkling clean greenhouse with green, healthy plants growing up on benches and everything in its place. There are no dark corners with algae and weeds, no piles of spilled soil on the floor. Organic waste bins are emptied on a regular basis, and plants with heavy infestations of pests or disease are nowhere to be seen. The benches and tools have recently been sterilized, and crops are well-spaced, with room to grow and good air flow. This perfect horticultural dream could be a reality by taking a few steps towards prevention. Continue reading
Elaine Sawyer
Written by Elaine Sawyer
Filed under
fungus gnat control, Lacewing larvae, mealybug, Phytoseiulus persimilis, predatory mites, tropical plants

Biocontrols for Tropical Plants

Elaine Sawyer
Written by Elaine Sawyer
Biocontrols for Tropical Plants
Bringing tropical plants indoors has been a trend for many years. Whether your space is so filled with plants there's no room for furniture or you just have a single vibrant green specimen plant, there are many benefits to growing plants indoors. It has been scientifically proven that plants reduce stress levels, boost productivity and improve the quality of the air in our environment. They provide so many positive things, but they also come with challenges, like providing the optimal growing conditions and the unfailing battle against pests and disease. Mimicking nature with biological controls releases natural enemies to manage problems. This approach also reduces chemical use in our environments.  Continue reading
Elaine Sawyer
Written by Elaine Sawyer

Caterpillar Control

Elaine Sawyer
Written by Elaine Sawyer
Caterpillar Control
It's hard to believe that the butterfly, such an ephemeral creature of light and air, is responsible for such devastating crop damage in its larval stage. Caterpillars have been chewing away on veggies, ornamentals and field crops since agriculture began. The tell tale sign of caterpillar damage is ragged chewed up leaves or leaves with holes. Caterpillars can be bright and showy, or highly camouflaged, exactly matching the color of the plant. The larval stage of butterflies and moths, in the order Lepidoptera, come in an unlimited set of colors and forms. Luckily there are several extremely effective options for control.  Continue reading
Elaine Sawyer
Written by Elaine Sawyer

The Birds, the Bees and the Beetles

Elaine Sawyer
Written by Elaine Sawyer
The Birds, the Bees and the Beetles
Need help with predatory beetles on your plants? Besides beneficial insects, don't forget about our feathered friends, the birds! One study found that insectivorous birds worldwide consume 400 - 500 million pounds of insects, millipedes and spiders every year. Someone is hungry for these pests, so why not welcome them into your garden? Continue reading
Elaine Sawyer
Written by Elaine Sawyer
Filed under
Amblyseius andersoni, Amblyseius cucumeris, Amblyseius degenerans, Amblyseius fallacis, Amblyseius swirskii, biocontrol, broad mite control, cyclamen mite control, fungus gnat control, Galendromus occidentalis, mite control, mite harassment, Neoseiulus californicus, Neoseiulus fallacis, Phytoseiulus persimilis, predatory mites, root aphid control, shore fly control, spider mite control, Stratiolaelaps scimitus, the right mite, thrips control, tomato russet mite control

The Mighty Predatory Mites

Elaine Sawyer
Written by Elaine Sawyer
The Mighty Predatory Mites
These mighty mites are a great entry into using biocontrols. They ship well, are easy to use, and effective. But what is a mite? Mites are tiny arachnids with two body parts, four pairs of legs and sucking mouthparts. These extremely small creatures are about the size of the period at the end of this sentence. They feed on other mites, tiny insects like young thrips and scale, as well as the eggs of insects and mites. Not all predatory mites are the same. This makes them perfect for a greenhouse environment or outdoor crops where change can be constant due to weather, culture, and pest pressure. Continue reading
Elaine Sawyer
Written by Elaine Sawyer
Filed under
agriculture, beneficial insects, biocontrol, fly control, fly control parasites, fly eliminators, fly parasites, livestock

Manage Flies Naturally This Season

Elaine Sawyer
Written by Elaine Sawyer
Manage Flies Naturally This Season
Biocontrol doesn’t have to stop at the greenhouse. There are many natural enemies raised in insectaries that are used in landscapes, orchards and even for fly control of livestock and farm animals. Nuisance flies on horses and cattle can be a big problem, and fly parasites are raised and sold specifically to help with this. Continue reading
Elaine Sawyer
Written by Elaine Sawyer

Harness the Power of Kelp

Elaine Sawyer
Written by Elaine Sawyer
Harness the Power of Kelp
Ascophyllum nodosum, Norwegian kelp or Rockweed has long been studied and utilized as a powerful plant biostimulant for horticultural crops. It’s an integral part of many organic fertilizer blends and especially important at formative times in the life of a plant (rooting, vegetative, flowering, fruiting). Using kelp products goes hand in hand with a good biological program. Continue reading
Elaine Sawyer
Written by Elaine Sawyer
Filed under
aphid control, biocontrol, Lacewing larvae, Ladybugs, Predalure

Ladybugs

Elaine Sawyer
Written by Elaine Sawyer
Ladybugs
Ladybugs are well known and loved by many people all over the world. They are a sign of good fortune and health. They are welcome in gardens as a natural predator of aphids and other pests. Then why is it not a good idea to purchase them for biocontrol? Following are the five top reasons why we don’t sell ladybugs for biocontrol. Continue reading
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Recent posts
Encarsia, Welcome to the Dark Side Nov 14, 2024
Clean and Green is the Dream Oct 24, 2024
Biocontrols for Tropical Plants Oct 01, 2024
Caterpillar Control Aug 01, 2024
The Birds, the Bees and the Beetles Jul 11, 2024