Ladybugs, the most commonly known of all beneficial insects, are not only effective but are economically important. They are gathered from their natural habitat in the California Sierra Mountain foothills.  They feed on may different soft bodied insects with aphids being their main food source. During the larval period the ladybug resembles a tiny, black, six-legged alligator with orange spots. As a larva it will gorge on about 400 aphids. After 3 or 4 weeks it attaches to a leaf or twig and enters the pupal stage. In another week the pupal skin splits and a hungry young adult emerges to eat another 5,000 aphids. Up to 1,500 tiny yellow eggs may be deposited in clusters of 10 to 50 in just a few weeks. In good years several generations may be produced. The Ladybug's huge appetite and reproductive capacity allow it to rapidly clean out its prey.

Release Rates: 1/2 pint covers 2,500 square feet; pint covers 5,000 square feet; quart covers 15,000 square feet. For farms and other large scale areas please contact us for details.  Must be shipped via UPS.  UPS Rate Chart

The lacewing is a light green colored insect with lustrous eyes. It is an insectary grown predator. The oval shaped pale green eggs are "planted" on foliage at the end of short hair-like filaments. The larvae are grey-green and are known as "aphid lions". Complementing their voracious appetite for aphids, they also consume mealy bugs, red spider mites, thrips, some small worms and many different insect eggs and larva. The Lacewing larvae feed for about three weeks until they pupate by spinning a white colored cocoon. After about one week they emerge as adults to lay eggs. They are light green with transparent wings and grow to about 3/4 inch in length. The Lacewing are shipped in the egg stage in a container of rice hulls which makes distribution of the tiny eggs easier.

Release Rates: For gardens and greenhouses use approximately 1,000 Lacewing eggs per 500 square feet. For larger fields and orchards we suggest approximately 5,000 Lacewing eggs per acre.

The Praying Mantis, because of its appearance and attitudes, is a fascinating insect. It is strictly carnivorous and feeds on almost any insect of a size it can overcome. Praying mantis egg cases are harvested in their natural environment. The female deposits the eggs in the fall in a frothy secretion that hardens and protects the eggs from predators and severs winter climates. The egg cases are attached to twigs, leaves, fences, etc. and may contain 50 to 400 eggs with an average of about 200. Upon hatching in the spring the young crawl from between tiny flaps in the case and hang from silken threads about two inches below the case. The young disperse into the vegetation leaving little, if any, evidence of their appearance. This happens within an hour or two and it is very difficult to know hatching has occurred unless the elusive, well-camouflaged young are found.

Release rate: 3 egg cases cover an area up to 5,000 square feet.

Trichogramma are tiny insectary grown wasps that attack over 200 pest species including the eggs of codling moth, fruitworms, cane borers, corn earthworms and almost all moth and butterfly eggs that hatch into worm pests. The parasite is effective by killing the pests before they damage the plant. By suppressing the life cycle of the pests, there is a reduction in the number of eggs, which results in fewer pest insects surviving to adulthood. Trichogramma are shipped while still parasitized in the host egg. They are very small, 5 of them could fit together on the end of a pencil point. Trichograma should be released at the first sign of moths. We recommend a bi-weekly (every two weeks) release as long as the moths are present.

Release Rate: Each package (approximately 5,000 eggs) covers an area up to 170 square feet. For large areas release approximately 40,000 per acre.

Soil improvement, maximum plant growth and soil conservation are all roles of the earthworm. Earthworms improve soil conditions through aeration by burrowing in pursuit of food. They aerate the soil, constantly tilling it and making it more pliable and light, providing channels for easy and deep root growth. This continuous aeration of the soil results in less evaporation and surface runoff, thereby providing for more efficient use of moisture introduced to the soil. The Earthworm's intricate digestive tract makes it possible for them to excrete highly nutritious fertilizer known as castings. Castings are water soluble and immediately available to plant life. Castings do not heat and will not burn plants regardless of the quantity made available to the plant. Earthworms, eggs to adults, are shipped in ventilated containers.

Release Rate: Small container covers 250 square feet. Large container covers 500 square feet. Must be shipped via UPS.  UPS Rate Chart

Effectively controls more than 250 insect pests in the soil including: fleas, cutworms, fungus gnats, corn rootworms, white grubs, sod webworms and weevils.

 

After entering the pest insect "Guardian/Lawn Patrol" kills the insect within 24-48 hours, then reproduce within the insect, thus providing long-term control

 

Easy application:

 

Mix with one gallon of water to create a concentrate and apply using your injector system (can withstand up to 300 PSI)

Dilute with more water and use pump sprayer, hose-end sprayer, watering can or pail.

 

Will not harm plants, animals, humans, ladybugs or earthworms.

 

One million nematodes covers 2,000 - 3,000 square feet - 24 million per acre (quantity discounts available).

 

Shipped via U.P.S. 2nd Day Air (price includes freight)

Also Available "Gnat Patrol"