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14-Feb-2008
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#1 |
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bonsaiTALK Craftsman
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Natural insecticides
Has anyone ever used lady bugs as a pesticide? They naturally eat pests. I was at a conference for work today (American Assoc. for the Advancement for Science) and a woman there has an exhibit with lady bugs and we got to talking. She said if I wanted she would gladly give me some to bring home for my indoor trees. She said that lady bugs can definitely live indoors and live about 9 months.
Anyone use lady bugs? |
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15-Feb-2008
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#2 | |
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bonsaiTALK Master Chief
Join Date: Jan-2008
Location: Sydney
Country: AUstralia
Posts: 1,650
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Quote:
nope i havent heard of any places that sell predator bugs .. but it really works from what ive heard. i know USA has them but its very expensive from memory. they eat mainly aphids and scale...i dont think they eat catarpillars. but if u have the money, u might as well give it a try apparently when you do, you dont have to ever spray insecticide again |
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15-Feb-2008
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#3 |
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bonsaiTALK Master
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I do. In spring/early summer any time I find one wandering around on the grass or fence and I pick it up and place it on one of the trees that has some aphids at that time (acer palmatum usually). It's very effective. As long as there is shelter for them, the ladybirds will stay and control the aphids.
Later in the year, ladybird larvae take over the job. They are voracious feeders and I haven't had to treat any of my trees with insecticide for years.
__________________
Experience is knowledge gained immediately after it was needed. |
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15-Feb-2008
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#4 |
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Student of Life
 
Join Date: Mar-2006
Location: Castroville,Texas
Country: USA
USDA Zone: 8b-9a
AHS Heat Zone: 10
Posts: 1,560
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I have for years used Ladybugs as well as Praying Mantis for control.
They are both very effective pest control. At some nurseries you can purchase them (ladybugs) by the bag full. I release them at my Bonsai bench outside. Irene
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....MOM.... Student of Life Student of Nature http://gongshi.freeforums.org/index.php http://bonsaivaultforum.freeforums.org/portal.php |
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15-Feb-2008
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#5 |
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Bonsai Beginner
Join Date: Feb-2008
Location: Manchester
Country: England
Posts: 35
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My mum bought some last year, they really work. The pack came with a shelter for them to live in, so you just place the shelter where you want.
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. Chinese Elm . Japanese Maple |
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15-Feb-2008
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#6 |
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bonsaiTALK Master
Join Date: Nov-2007
Location: Sierra Mountains, California
Country: USA
USDA Zone: 7
AHS Heat Zone: 6-7
Posts: 271
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In the mountains a few miles from here there is an abandoned lumber mill with huge piles of saw dust bigger than a house. In the sawdust is an established breeding ground for ladybugs. In spring there are literally billions upon billions of ladybugs. I will be collecting a batch to bring home to my garden.
__________________
"What I like about bonsai is that it has a beginning but no end. A bud today becomes a branch tomorrow. It is like searching for the rainbw's end; the farther it is pursued, the farther away it is." John Naka |
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15-Feb-2008
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#7 |
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bonsaiTALK Master
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Do they eat mosquitoes?
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Over 25 years experience - good and bad, and still learning! |
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15-Feb-2008
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#8 |
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bonsaiTALK Master
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No. They would, if they got the chance (they're not fussy), but mosquitos are too fast and don't spend much time in trees/bushes. Mosquito larvae are aquatic, which puts them out of reach of ladybirds too.
__________________
Experience is knowledge gained immediately after it was needed. |
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15-Feb-2008
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#9 |
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bonsaiTALK Master
Join Date: Nov-2007
Location: Sierra Mountains, California
Country: USA
USDA Zone: 7
AHS Heat Zone: 6-7
Posts: 271
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Bats and humming birds eat mosquitos. Mosquito fish eat the larve.
__________________
"What I like about bonsai is that it has a beginning but no end. A bud today becomes a branch tomorrow. It is like searching for the rainbw's end; the farther it is pursued, the farther away it is." John Naka |
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15-Feb-2008
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#10 |
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bonsaiTALK Master Craftsman
Join Date: Jan-2005
Location: SE Massachusetts
Country: USA
USDA Zone: 6
AHS Heat Zone: 4-5
Posts: 587
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I've never purchased lady bugs as a means of insect control, but my backyard has always had a fair number of naturally occurring lady bugs and praying mantis. My yard is heavily planted with ornamentals of all sorts...perennials, evergreens of all sizes, grasses, and various deciduous tree species. I think having a yard with lots of variety in the plants encourages these beneficial insects to spend more time there and eat the bad bugs that might want to eat my trees.
Dave ps dragonflies are a big mosquito eater around here and elsewhere...these, too, can be purchased to be used as a means of mosquito control. |
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