Brugie,
In fall I collect as many mantis cases as I can find and bring them into the glasshouse to winter. The cases hatch out there as it warms. And as the doors and vents open a bit later, the babies will go out with a little maturity. (Though some never leave!) But this has given then a head start on the 'great outdoors'. And as I have done that several years now, there are alot more mantises here now. I like finding the teenagers and adults into summer knowing I helped them to a better start (o:
I will see if I can find some more cases to share. Mantis babies are alot of fun to watch hatch. It is a shame you bought cases and then missed that.
Systematic Pesticide
I never see a Mantis here. I seen one a few years ago but haven't seen any since.
I've never seen one in the flesh!! LOL! Alice, that would be great. I would love to be able to grow them to maturity and save the egg cases for the next year.
Brugie,
Get yourself a goose. Midge and Norm (my grey geese couple) are great.
They drive off all "unwanteds" ..lol They even ran off the pizza delivery man they did not know yesterday. He said he never though he would be afraid of a goose. But when Norm went for him hissing ..he ran! ... hehe
The only problem is they poop. But that is free green fertilizer. ha
I will post a pix of them here tonight when back.
I have to get to work now )o:
Bet that was quite a sight. LOL! I'd probably be washing off sidewalks and decks all the time if we had geese here. It's bad enough when the coons and possums visit and leave their markers.
Alice your program with the Mantises is wonderful. I think we all agree that we would much rather not use chemicals. I am just glad we don't have somebody on here preaching to us about it. When all else fails .. . . . . . . . .
Also, I want to see a picture of your geese!! I used to have ducks and geese both because they are wonderful with some of the weeds and all of the slugs (ducks) but when I got tired of walking out the back door and sliding clear across the porch in poop I just couldn't take it any more.
Yes, the geese are better watch dogs than dogs. But the problem is they are not discrimanate. They chase everybody. I used to have to take a broom with me when I left the house.
Shirley, wish we had your little critters. Oh oh, just remembered we didn't even feed the squirrels last summer because they kept planting sunflower seeds in my planters. Let me tell you, they are better farmers than I ever hoped to be. One seed per pot. And they all germinated.
We have the deer and the rabbits but not a lot because of the dogs. We don't have a fence so the dogs are not confined. Deer are smart, if the dogs are fenced the deer soon learn that they can go everywhere and the dogs can't stop them. Also, the dodgs ran the coons off and I never thought that they would get discouraged but they have not come back.
My dogs are in-door dogs. We keep them in at night because of the cougars.
Jeanette
Are systemics a one dose treatment?? If not, how often should they be given?
My squirrels like to plant acorns in my flower pots. Every year I have lots of oak trees growing in them.
Sherry, you would probably have to read on the label as they could all have different times that they are good for. The Hi-Yield I just bought is "up to six weeks". That makes me think that the effective time is determined by the amount of water that goes through that soil to dissolve the granules. In my flower pots, it probably wouldn't last long.
That's what I figured, Shirley, thanks!! The instruction part of the label came off, not that i could have read it anyway, without a magnifying glass. When are those people who make all that stuff ever learn that the majority of those that buy their products cannot read the small print...
That kind of product, especially. I've just opened a small package of sugar free Jelly Belly candy and I can barely read the Nutrition Facts on the back using my bifocals.
Yep, I know what you mean, I take a small magnifying glass with me when I shop.
Shirley, how is your drain today? Did you wait for it to thaw out or have to have the rooter guy do something? Did you run the salt water you were talking about? Jeanette
Just a note since I do this for a living. IPM or Integrated Pest Management is combining several different options together into one plan that benefits the grower, crop, and environment. Using ichneumonid wasps, ladybird beetles and lacewings in conjuction with cultural practices and insecticides to limit pest as opposed to using the strongest chemicals available is an IPM. With IPM's you can insure that the target pest will be kept under control but with pesticide (especially category 1 and 2 toxins) you can kill the pest, predators, beneficials, non target animals, endangered species, pets, etc. Consult the Farm Advisor at your local Cooperative Extension office for more info. As for your questions regarding systemics, they do have to be reapplied depending on the active ingredient. The translocated type (absorbed through roots or leaves) tend to breakdown and become less effective over time. Those that are applied through micro-injection can last for 2-3 years but are rather expensive. Of note: several pest have become resistant to many ready-to-use pesticides especially mites and white-fly so buying predaceous or parasitic insects may be your best option. Hope this is helpful-Bagpypr
I hear what you are saying Bagpypr and it may not have sounded like it but I think that is pretty much what all, or most, of us were thinking. As long as we have these plants in our houses we do not want to treat them with the good bugs or critters. Therefore, we wanted the least harmful to US and at the same time, the most effective.
When we move them outside that is a different situation. That is a reason to read the label and plan for the trip out after the last frost date.
Jeanette
Shirley,
Where did you get the Hi-yield Dy-Syston? Jeanette
I found it on Ebay, but I'm not sure you want to order. The postage was as much as the product. Way to high in my book, but I just couldn't find it anyplace else.
The drain guy is coming back tonight. I don't want to run the washer full and not have it go down. LOL!
I bought my Hi-yield Dy-Syston at the nursery, 3 in our area stock it. But, later found it at Lowes and much cheaper...
Thanks you guys. I' will try Lowes. I have found that out about a lot of stuff on the net. Scooterbug told me about some minerals they were $8.95 but the postage was $8.
Can't believe it. I went to the hydroponic store and got it. Different brand but that is ok.
Jeanette
For my inside plants I use a tsp of Listerine, a tsp of lemon scented ammonia, about 3 drops of lemon dish-washing liquid and mix it with a quart of water. I then empty it in a spray bottle and use when I have either insects or mildew. As far as the fungus gnats ( both Mycetophilidae and Sciaridae) you can use Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. israelensis( but Bti stinks) so after using the potato test I'll hang some 3x5 cards, painted yellow and smeared with tanglefoot to kill the adults then I use fine horticultural sand ( the crushed marble type) and put it in my pots to smother the larvae. It is a good practice to microwave or bake your indoor potting soil to kill the nasty little creatures before potting up houseplants anyway. In case you don't know what the potato test is fungus gnat larvae migrate to feed on the underside of potato pieces placed in the planting media. Use 1- inch cubes or slices of peeled raw potato imbedded about 3/8 inch deep. Pick up and examine the underside of each potato and the soil directly beneath it about twice a week to determine the extent of the infestation which will give you a better idea of how to treat it.-Bagpypr
I know you guys were trying to help!!!!! I'm sorry if I sounded anything but appreciative, that wasn't my intent. I do appreciate all the help and I liked reading everyone's comments.
I've never been able to find an egg case in the wild. I've seen the mantises, we had a couple of siblings grow up on my deck this summer. They had to have come from some where but I know not where.
There's a local nursery here that sells ladybugs, mantises, nematodes, etc. I'm going to buy a few cases of the mantises this year. The trick to having the most survive is raising them indoors until they're big enough to release. My neighbor's kids put there's down right on top of an ant hill.... you can guess what happened. And even releasing in a safe place, the little guys make great food for hungry predators.
You can use a big plastic storage bin and collect bugs or buy feed insects from a pet store. Wingless gnats culture for hatchlings, pinhead crickets for the next size, then small crickets. By this time they can be released.
You don't want to have too much humidity b/c they drown in condinsation (I just know I spelled that wrong), keep it on the dry side and MAKE sure you supply enough feed insects or they'll resort to eating each other.
If you don't mind this slightly complicated little project, it's a fun and educational thing to do.
Wow -- I need to check these threads more often! This is a great one. To answer the question regarding Bayer Systemic and bees -- I had tons and tons of bees. In fact, I had a difficult time getting photos of my brugs without bees and/or moths in and around them.
I had such fun watching the praying mantises this summer. After being pretty observant about them, I found their cases all over the place...in the firewood pile, on a pink dogwood tree, on a plumeria,......
Gaylams,
Funny, I was downloading your picture and the first thing I noticed was that dead stick there. The more the picture appeared the more I wondered why you hadn't cut that dead stick off 'cause your flower was so pretty.
That is so funny. They really are chamelons aren't they.
Hi Gretchen!! The bees do like the flowers don't they. What kind of bees are they? Do you have any hives for honey?
Jeanette
Lol. His camoflauge was working.
Is it evil that I pluck japanese beetles off my plants and hand them to the mantises? It's so gratifying to watch them bite into them!
>:)
This message was edited Jan 22, 2005 5:24 AM
Jeanette -- I have no idea. I guess they're honey bees, and I also have some large bumble bees. We have a few Mantis here. Sure wish there were more of them.
What dead stick? The mantis I see in the picture is green. Are my eyes playing tricks on me too?
Boy, my typing skills are going down the tubes.
This message was edited Jan 22, 2005 3:17 PM
Just because there were no leaves coming out of its head Shirley, LOL, LOL
Jeanette
I also see a green mantis!
I think using the systemic about 4 to 5 days before bringing the Brugs into the house is a very very good idea - help solve the problem before it gets out of control. There is nothing worse than having those critters alive and well in your house. Gross.
Adult mantis will also appear brown.
In their natural camaflouge they 'change' to their surroundings.
This is one of my very favourite mantis pix.
I was photographing c. 'Skyhawk' ..and there she was!
Very neat (o:
Note she is near same colour as its foliage.
http://www.karcheskycanna.com/images/skyhawk.jpg
That is a great picture. I sure hope I get some next summer. I've heard that they won't eat hard shelled bugs like cucumber beetles. Does anyone know this for sure?
That is absolutely amazing. I had to get up close and go over each piece of the plant to find her. If you know what dahlia stems and leaves look like when I was cutting them off for the winter then you know why I almost missed that guy. If it hadn't moved when I reached my hand down to the dahlia stem I never would have seen it.
As Karrie said, I don't want even the nice critters like her living in my house with the plants but I am going to send for some cases in the spring.
Jeanette
Personally. I wouldn't worry too much with killing your enemies with your systemics. There are plenty of bees, flies, yellow jackets, hornets, etc.... around.
I have found there are two paths: using a preying manthis or lady bugs or using bug control.
I wish that the natural way worked better. You can buy those insects, but they may not like your yard and go to greener pastures.
I don't like using chemicals, but have found sometimes I need them. Protect yourself with gloves and even a face mask if you have to.
I tried to go organic - but sometimes the summers are different - and if they invade you, you have to take extreme measures.
Finally found my promised geese pix. I had mislabeled.
'Norm' in the front is "talking" at me.
He likes conversing with me.
'Midge' is a bit quieter.
Both hang where I go a few feet away when working outside.
When I move, they move. If I need to be where they are, thew will move aside.
Both are great 'watch geese'. Better than the dogs at keeping track.
Cat 'Mother' at the rear keeps an eye on things ...and out of the way!!. HA
Never thought I would become friends with geese.
And a bit skeptical when I got them as 'kids' from a friend last spring.
But they are pretty cool birds ..and smart (o:
Oh, they do make some little messes, don't they? LOL! They are actually very pretty. I love ducks too, especially when they are small. If I had ducks or geese, they would probably leave our property and go to the pond behind us and never come home.
Love the geese!!!
I have been using those sticky yellow cards to try to keep the population under control
I bought them at a local GH
the adult aphid (have wings and fly) and white flies stick to the cards nicely
was going to make my own but ....
where do you get tangle foot??
everywhere I try to look for it they all look at me like I'm crazy
Alice, Those are great. Do they go after you too? I had the Pekings and they didn't know the difference between me and anyone, or anything, that came into their territory. I took a weapon with me everytime I went out the back door.
Wonderful, thanks for sharing. Jeanette
Finally, I amable to get back to this.
In lieu of my 'explaining' in 2 million words, this will answer alot of questions re IPM (Integrated Pest Management).
If able to do this kind on 'control' , it's a good thing (o:
http://www.longwoodgardens.org/IPM/home.htm
Hey CC,
I know Home Depot ( Bob Nardelli is Evil Incarnate)sells it. It comes in a tube and is usually applied to the base of fruit trees to inhibit ants from destroying the crop. You may have to go online to get it, however. Here's the website address-Garth
www.tanglefoot.com
Jnette,
The geese do not go after me. I have had them since small.
They like me (o:
I cannot touch them now. But when I am working outside, them come and sit where I am.
'Norn' likes to converse. I say something, he replies back.
That can go on for as long as I care to do. ha
Only winter they have been on the porch.
Otherwise, they are out foraging, resting under a favourite canna, or swimming in my largest pond.
Did not think they would fit into, but they have.