How to Use Biological Controls in the Greenhouse
With the modern movement toward developing a greener planet, the need to find chemically-free and environmentally-viable methods of pest control is increasing just as rapidly. One of the ways that modern horticulturalists and greenhouse enthusiasts are attempting to control pests is by introducing biological controls.Biological pest control is the reduction of pest populations by introduction of natural enemies by human means. Natural enemies of insect pests are known as the biological control agents. Biological control agents often include insects but can include and natural predators, parasitoids, or pathogens that can be used to deter pest. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Classify your pest problem. Take stock of your greenhouse and determine what type of pest problem you have. The most common are aphid infestation and mites which are easily control with the introduction of a natural predator.
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Determine if it is safe to introduce the biological control into the greenhouse. These are a range of predators and parasites that naturally feed on certain pests, keeping them at bay without the need for chemicals. Most are suitable for using in greenhouses. Biological controls are available for pests such as spider mites, whiteflies, mealybugs, scale insects, aphids, slugs and leaf miners.
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Control the temperature. A daytime temperature of at least 70°F is usually necessary if the predators and parasites are to breed and feed faster than the pests.
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Introduce predators or parasites before the infestation becomes severe, or there may be too many for the controls to cope with. There is, however, no point introducing them before the pest appears since without the pest the predator and parasite populations will die out. Suppliers send out the biological controls in different forms and will advise as to how many of which type of control you need. Most controls are small and some are barely visible to the naked eye, so it may be hard to determine how well they are working -look for signs of improvement on the plants, for a decrease in the number of pests visible and, with parasites, for signs of the parasitic pest.
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Use Whitefly control. Introduce Encarsia Formosa. It may seem strange to introduce a wasp into your greenhouse but these guys aren’t just any old wasp. They won’t sting humans. Sold as eggs in a plastic tube, the parasitic wasp Encarsia Formosa parasitizes the juvenile, or scale stage of the whitefly. The whitefly is killed and another wasp develops inside the scale.
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Use lady bugs. The introduction of lady bugs is a natural and safe way to control aphids. Having a fun and attractive insect hanging around the greenhouse is an added advantage.
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Use caution when introducing the praying mantis. They are easily found and quite effective against pest but a praying mantis will literally eat all other insects in the greenhouse including beneficial species.
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Tips & Warnings
Do some research to determine natural predators that may help you control your pest problems.
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