Those little buggers are about to drive me crazy!!(OK, I admit, it's not a drive but a short putt) I finally got out the big guns today. I've been using all natural things to keep them under control, but this cool, damp weather really has them multiplying. I finally resorted to imidicloprid. It's not a natural chemical, but is more friendly to the beneficials than some of the others used in green houses. You spray it on the leaves and when the bugs bite into the leaves, they are gonners. A beneficial that eats a poisoned insect won't be injured, neither will a moth or humming bird that goes for the nectar. It's the same active ingredient that is in "Advantage" that is used on pets for flea control. It should kill all the aphids within 5 days, but isn't effective against spider mites.
Battling aphids
Hope you get them. You have so much more to deal with than most of us. I'll just keep plugging away at the mites. No aphids yet.
S.
Cala, should i ship you some lizards?
Cala, is this something I could use if there's no one else here all day? where can I get some?
TiG, I got it at the green house supplier. It isn't a restricted pesticide here, don't know about your state. Yes, it's safe after it dries.
Brugcrazy, I tried the ladybugs and lacewings, it's just too cool for them to be very active in the green house. It's about 50* in there now, it's this yuckie weather. They prefer a little warmer to be really active and gobble the pests up. Plus, the cover sweats so bad they stick to it!! I go in with a little piece of plastic tag and "free" them from the wet plastic. Even the few bees that are in there are just sitting on the citrus trees, too cold to fly. We need sunny weather, even if it's cold, the sun warms the green house and dries out the moisture. (a little river was running thru the middle of my walkway in the green house from all teh rain we've had the last few days).
Forgive me Brugcrazy - I've been on the phone - but when it get's warmer down there - don't they open the doors??