Nematodes and Lacewings

OzoneNY · April 21, 2017

This is most likely the new reality I live in since I move to Texas a few years ago. So my predatory/beneficial nematode and green lacewing pest management method is proving to be very effective and reasonable in terms of application, maintenance and cost in controlling what I consider the most irritating insect since the mosquito...... Thrips. For 3 years now I have battled this nearly invisible pest and for one reason or another , I lost the battle. Of the dozen or so tomato plants I have grown each year since I move here I never got a harvest of more than 50 or 60 tomatoes.

This year is off to a good start and maybe, just maybe I will have something to boast about

Southfl · April 21, 2017

How many lacewings did you release in your garden?

OzoneNY · April 21, 2017

1000 lacewing eggs on little black paper cards

Dewayne mater · April 24, 2017

Can you remind me of your source for lacewings and bene nems? I'm trying to remember where I ordered some benes in the past but, can't pull it up so far.

kayrobbins · April 24, 2017

I just ordered Green Lacewings from Arbico Organics. I use to have so many of them but last year and this year I have not seen any. I got the 1000 eggs and it was $16 with free shipping.

OzoneNY · April 27, 2017

Dewayne! Good to see you again
I only get my nematodes from http://www.naturescontrol.com. I got lacewings from them and also from Arbico and one other supplier I found on amazon. Lacewing eggs are easier to come by and price seems to vary somewhat.
Also, I find the nematodes application once or twice is sufficient for the season if you apply them early and 3 or 4 lacewing deployments about 14 days apart. Nice thing is the lacewings are fairly cheep and so far this year I have needed NO insecticide of any kind. Very pleased so far. I found thrips again this year but I applied nematodes and lacewings right away and so far I see very little leftover damage and no NEW damage from thrips. I am ready to deploy more lacewings tomorrow once it warms up.... cold spring this year it seems yes? Feels like spring when growing up in NY

Dewayne mater · April 28, 2017

Thanks! It has been colder in April than it was in February and March - bizzare indeed. That said, since winter ended with our last freeze on January 8, we've had quite a lengthy Spring! I think that's good for tomato production and I"m hoping to keep everything as healthy as it is right now - yeah right! Good luck this year.

By the way, if I can find it, the place I ordered bene nemes last year had a second type of nematodes they recommended for warm weather like we have from late May until the hot weather gets here.

OzoneNY · April 28, 2017

I wish I could get nematodes locally

Dewayne mater · April 29, 2017

I have occasionally seen them at Calloways in a refrigerator.

April 21, 2017	#1
OzoneNY Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Frisco Texas Posts: 390	Nematodes and Lacewings This is most likely the new reality I live in since I move to Texas a few years ago. So my predatory/beneficial nematode and green lacewing pest management method is proving to be very effective and reasonable in terms of application, maintenance and cost in controlling what I consider the most irritating insect since the mosquito...... Thrips. For 3 years now I have battled this nearly invisible pest and for one reason or another , I lost the battle. Of the dozen or so tomato plants I have grown each year since I move here I never got a harvest of more than 50 or 60 tomatoes. This year is off to a good start and maybe, just maybe I will have something to boast about

April 27, 2017	#6
OzoneNY Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Frisco Texas Posts: 390	Dewayne! Good to see you again I only get my nematodes from http://www.naturescontrol.com. I got lacewings from them and also from Arbico and one other supplier I found on amazon. Lacewing eggs are easier to come by and price seems to vary somewhat. Also, I find the nematodes application once or twice is sufficient for the season if you apply them early and 3 or 4 lacewing deployments about 14 days apart. Nice thing is the lacewings are fairly cheep and so far this year I have needed NO insecticide of any kind. Very pleased so far. I found thrips again this year but I applied nematodes and lacewings right away and so far I see very little leftover damage and no NEW damage from thrips. I am ready to deploy more lacewings tomorrow once it warms up.... cold spring this year it seems yes? Feels like spring when growing up in NY Last edited by OzoneNY; April 28, 2017 at 02:29 PM.

April 21, 2017	#2
Southfl Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Cooper city Posts: 13	How many lacewings did you release in your garden?

April 24, 2017	#4
Dewayne mater Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2008 Location: DFW, Texas Posts: 1,212	Can you remind me of your source for lacewings and bene nems? I'm trying to remember where I ordered some benes in the past but, can't pull it up so far.

April 24, 2017	#5
kayrobbins Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Jacksonville, Fl Posts: 820	I just ordered Green Lacewings from Arbico Organics. I use to have so many of them but last year and this year I have not seen any. I got the 1000 eggs and it was $16 with free shipping.

April 28, 2017	#7
Dewayne mater Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2008 Location: DFW, Texas Posts: 1,212	Thanks! It has been colder in April than it was in February and March - bizzare indeed. That said, since winter ended with our last freeze on January 8, we've had quite a lengthy Spring! I think that's good for tomato production and I"m hoping to keep everything as healthy as it is right now - yeah right! Good luck this year. By the way, if I can find it, the place I ordered bene nemes last year had a second type of nematodes they recommended for warm weather like we have from late May until the hot weather gets here.

April 29, 2017	#9
Dewayne mater Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2008 Location: DFW, Texas Posts: 1,212	I have occasionally seen them at Calloways in a refrigerator.