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Sounds like a BOGUS company | ripoffrus | Sun Nov 02 09:01:04 -0700 2008
I don't think I would shop here if you are half as intelligent as you think you are!
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Same question as others | Anonymous | Fri May 30 05:25:42 -0700 2008
No contact phone number??? Your website ordering isn't working. Guess I'll buy from someone else
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Please give information as to how you can be reached. | Anonymous | Mon May 26 11:57:02 -0700 2008
How are you reaached for an order? Seems MOST STRANGE WAY TO DO BUSINESS
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NO contact number | Ram | Thu May 15 07:36:26 -0700 2008
Why would anyone be foolish enough to pay $15 shipping for a $22 order? I also question why anyone would want to do business with a company that has no contact number. I realize this is just a virtual store however experience has taught me that I need to be extremely careful with a business that fails to give out a contact number. This guy limits his orders only to the uninformed. The lack of contact opens many questions.
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PHONE NUMBER??? | Josie | Tue Apr 22 09:22:42 -0700 2008
I need to order some Cryptolaemus montrouzieri for a college campus greenhouse. I was not able to place my order through the website (server error?) so I need to call and ask a few questions and place my order. Please e-mail me a number I can reach you at (greenbeetle7@hotmail.com).
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Horse flies and Deer flies | Booger Red | Tue Mar 18 17:46:12 -0700 2008
In late spring and early summer working at my Farm is made miserable due to deer flies, horse flies and other biting flies. What can I do to reduce or eliminate these pests??
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horseflies in my house | Anonymous | Thu Mar 06 09:11:34 -0700 2008
R.ecently came home from an extended vacation and several dead horseflies in my
living room.Then live horseflies started to appear.After some investigating i found a dead squirrel in my fireplace damper which i removed.However for week since i am
finding six to eight flies everyday.
Does anyone have an answer?
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Do you have a phone number we can contact you at? | Anonymous | Thu Feb 28 09:08:50 -0700 2008
Do you have a phone number that we can contact you at? Please email me at wendy_warner@liverpool.k12.ny.us with your number. Working for a school,we have to get a P.O. number to pay you for the cryptolaemus. We need to talk to someone to make sure this is o.k. Thank you for your time and effort.
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How are the crytpolaemus shipped? | Anonymous | Tue Feb 26 10:37:06 -0700 2008
are they sent in separate containers with a certain number in each container? Is there a phone number where you can be reached? I work at a school and we need to use a P.O. number. Is this a possibility?
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Shipping | Anonymous | Mon Feb 25 08:22:21 -0700 2008
I wanted to plae an order but cannot find out how much the shippng will cost. I also cannot find a contact number or a regular e-mail address. Please e-mail me at alanicky@msn.com
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Shipping information | CHEVMECH | Sun Jan 20 12:03:13 -0700 2008
VERY nice site. Very comprehensive and easy to use...
Anyway, I want to start ordering my supplies from you, however, I live in WI and the temperature here is in the NEGATIVES. Will the critters survive transit, or will I have to wait till spring?
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compost sifter | Anonymous | Sun Sep 16 14:50:13 -0700 2007
I live in queens ny and i need to find an organic gardening store, is there one anywhere near me?
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moles & Caster oil? | bingobreath | Tue Aug 21 10:21:18 -0700 2007
Is caster oil effective to get rid of moles? How much caster oil to a gallon of water? Should I avoid getting it on my flowers?
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Mite Problems | Anonymous | Sun Aug 12 17:54:50 -0700 2007
I have four different types of mites on my houseplants. Two types of mites are in the soil and all over the base of the pots and the drip trays. The other two types stay on the foliage of the plants. I have tried using insecticidal soap, pyrethrin, and a solution of flour buttermilk and water to get rid of the mites but unfortunately none of these methods have worked. I am going to try using predatory mites on my plants to see if this will take care of the problem but I don’t know which mites I should get. Since my plants are infested with four different types was wondering if there is a predatory mite available that will prey on all the different types of mites and be able to withstand t will be able to withstand the dry climate of my house. If anyone could help me out I would greatly appreciate it.
Thanks,
Sarah
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about your ladybug lures | baltimore, md | Wed Jul 18 09:52:25 -0700 2007
I have a mealybug/whitefly infestation in my small garden right in front of the house. I was going to order some ladybugs, but your smallest pack of 300 has too many because my one infested garden is really small. With your ladybug lures, about how many ladybugs should I expect it to attract and how soon will they arrive? Also, should I anticipate an indoor infestation if I'm placing a lure outside? I'd like to know this before I purchase.
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Thripes | Anonymous | Wed Jul 18 08:25:49 -0700 2007
We have an infestation of thripes on our tomatoes. What can we do to get rid of them and is there an environmentally friendly method?
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Order | Upshaw | Thu Jul 05 11:14:07 -0700 2007
When will my order ship?
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phone number | Anonymous | Mon Jul 02 09:34:02 -0700 2007
I had an order that was cancelled and I have not recieved a refund yet. I can't find a number to contact you and my e-mail is not working. How can you be contacted to discuss this matter?
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NO NUMBER | Anonymous | Tue Mar 11 06:43:09 -0700 2008
There is no about us button on the home page. Where else can a contact number be found??
Phone number | Anonymous | Mon Jul 02 12:53:19 -0700 2007
Click the "about us" link on the lower right of home page. all the contact info is there. And I don't even work here :)
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Powdery mildew | Anonymous | Sat Jun 30 13:56:30 -0700 2007
I have powdery mildew growing on my roses. Do you sell the species of ladybird beetle (Psyllobora) which feeds on the mildew? Also do you know if these beetles also eat aphids and mites (which I have also)?
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Solution to Powdery Mildew | Anonymous | Thu Jul 05 17:17:12 -0700 2007
I know of no beetle that feeds on powdery mildew - nor any animal that does. An organic way of dealing with powdery mildew is to use baking soda and water. Some people recommend 1 tsp to gallon of water - but I have found that sometimes not to be enough and have used 1 tbsp to a gallon of water. Spray on the leaves and not in direct sunlight - either a cloudy day or in the morning. May need a couple of treatments.
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japanese beetles | Anonymous | Sat Jun 30 12:44:21 -0700 2007
How can i get rid of these things. They are all over my rapberry patch and my gardens.
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how much damage? | Anonymous | Tue May 22 10:02:53 -0700 2007
how much damage will aphids do while i wait for my ladybugs to arrive? i'd hate to have everything damaged and/or devoured before they can get here.
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Depends | gardenermike | Wed Jun 06 13:59:44 -0700 2007
Aphids usually do not completely kill plants. The biggest problem with aphids is often the fungus that forms on their excretions, which can go on to attack the plant. It usually takes weeks of heavy aphid infestation in damp conditions for this to become a problem. Aphids can, however, cause ornamentals to look less than, um, ornamental, and vegetables to be less appealing. As a short-term measure, a good spray with the hose works very well if you have a few plants infested.
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Ant world | Anonymous | Sun May 20 08:04:29 -0700 2007
Help!!! please it would seem that our house is situated in ant world as our garden consists of huge colonies of red ants, we have a small child who i do not let in the garden because of the amount of ants. Please help is there something that can be used but not kill off my grass.
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Ant killer | Anonymous | Mon Sep 24 15:14:50 -0700 2007
After my 1 year old was completely covered and bitten by red ants from our back yard, the best thing I've found to get rid of them is Amdro Ant-b-gone from Home Depot. I tried the Ortho white powder, pots of boiling water, and cider vinegar, none of which really worked, but I've recently gotten rid of 2 huge red ant hills near our play area w/ Amdro. It's 13 or $14 per container at Home Depot.
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Help! Ladybugs took over house! | Anonymous | Fri May 11 10:38:33 -0700 2007
Eek! I had a quart of ladybugs on my kitchen counter and the kids somehow managed to disperse them throughout a good portion of the house. Cute at first, not so much now. Some of them even seem to be in the ventilation system, which concerns me the most. How can I get rid of them? I don't want to have to fumigate the whole house (the ladybugs are concentrated around the kitchen and bathroom), but I guess I will if I have to...
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not to worry - I lived through it | Anonymous | Thu Jul 05 08:57:40 -0700 2007
A few years ago our neighborhood Philadelphia gardening store gave us 5000 ladybugs free on the condition that we let them lose in our house -- a bit of a lark for us all. Everyone was imagining months of whimsical ladybug filled house. We did it, and had fabulous fun watching the kittens chase them around for several days. Within a week, they had all but disappeared from sight. After a couple weeks, there were only a few left on the houseplants. It was disappointing. Every time we swept, we had a few dozen bug corpses. By the follow spring, we were overjoyed to see one had survived and flew out the window. They will take care of themselves, and either die or find greener pastures (unless you have a serious aphid infestation somewhere in your houseplants). No food = eventually no ladybugs.
Not to worry | Don | Wed Jun 13 07:52:09 -0700 2007
Don't worry about them. They don't live long inside the house. You can sweep them up. In the meantime they don't eat much...
Lure | gardenermike | Wed Jun 06 14:05:18 -0700 2007
I'd try a ladybug lure. You can get them at this site, and they are inexpensive. If you release praying mantids, you'll just have two insect problems, and the density of ladybugs in the house probably isn't enough to keep predators like mantids fed for long.
| Anonymous | Sun May 13 13:16:11 -0700 2007
How many praying mantises (manti?) do I need to get rid of that many ladybugs? I would prefer to use some of them rather than chemicals. So far I've managed to catch probably 3/4 of that original ladybug quart, but that still leaves a pretty significant population hiding out.
good luck | Anonymous | Sat May 12 23:05:39 -0700 2007
The exact same thing happened to me. My advice is don't go in the kitchen or bathroom ever again. The bugs have it unless you buy a praying mantis
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Buffalo Gnats | Anonymous | Wed May 09 17:06:27 -0700 2007
How do you get rid of buffalo gnats and how do you treat their bites?
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Chiggers | Texas Pete | Wed May 09 11:19:13 -0700 2007
Will these sweet little ladybugs eat Chiggers ? I sure hope so.
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Try nematodes | gardenermike | Wed May 09 14:58:00 -0700 2007
While ladybugs may get some chiggers, they probably aren't the best defense. Chiggers do not live at a high density the way aphids do. A better predator would be beneficial nematodes. They will eat a variety of critters, like fleas and chiggers, and will take out the chiggers before they are old enough to bite.
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How long can ladybugs live in mesh bag? | Kimberly Wong | Tue May 08 13:16:36 -0700 2007
I am order # 3740- I am not releasing the ladybugs until 5/19. I understand the order is going out today. Should you wait a day or two instead? Perhaps even mail on Monday, May 14th? How many days would it take to arrive? Thanks - Kimberly
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Fruit tree pests | Anonymous | Sun May 06 19:13:41 -0700 2007
Will praying mantis killl fruit tree pests including apple maggots which we are required by law to spray for? We live in Eastern Washington.
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Probably not well | gardenermike | Wed May 09 15:04:00 -0700 2007
Apple maggots live inside of the apples while juveniles, so they are out of the reach of praying mantises. The mantises will attack the adults, but since the flying adults are short-lived, they do not provide a steady food source for the mantids to keep fed on. A better bet would be to clean up apples soon after they fall to the ground, adding nematodes to the soil, and setting up traps in trees. Here are a couple of links:
http://gardening.wsu.edu/library/tree006/tree006.htm
http://www.planetnatural.com/site/xdpy/kb/apple-maggot-control.html
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CATALOG AVA. | Anonymous | Thu May 03 15:56:56 -0700 2007
DO YOU HAVE CATALOGS AVA. IN ORDER FOR US TO SEE ALL ITEMS. AND WHAT WE COULD USE. WE CURRENTLY HAVE OVER 12 ACRES OF BLUEBERRIES AND PUTTING IN BLACKBERRIES.
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Praying Mantis and Butterflies | kyra atchison | Wed May 02 15:47:43 -0700 2007
We live in Mission, Texas "butterfly capitol" We have ordered Praying Mantis for my son. However, we were wondering if the mantis will attack the butterflies. Thank you, Kyra
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Mantids eat everything | gardenermike | Wed May 09 15:07:16 -0700 2007
Yes, they will almost certainly eat the butterflies. Preying mantids will eat just about anything, including each other. However, butterflies are not likely to be an attractive target: they spend much of their time in the air and are too big for all but full-grown mantids. I wouldn't worry too much-- you won't be putting much of a dent in the butterfly population.
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Ants in my plants | Anonymous | Tue May 01 10:06:30 -0700 2007
Help! I have an insane ant infestation in my kitchen. I've been putting out bait of sugar & yeast and sugar and Boric Acid. I've put down DE along baseboards and they're still here. I'm seriously considering hard core insecticide.
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Tried red pepper? | Anonymous | Sun Jun 17 14:59:56 -0700 2007
Sprinkle crushed red pepper on any entry way and on shelves that attract ants. They don't like this and usually just go away. This works fine in southern NY.
Ants are a real bummer! | MissBunny | Tue May 15 17:50:41 -0700 2007
We also have an ant problem...around the whole neighborhood. We are in Washington State (Seattle), and they never actually die off due to our mild climate. We use a non-toxic MINT or ORANGE oil spray inside the home. And, sorry to say we HAVE to use a real pesticide outdoors. My husband sprays the base/foundation and under the house (crawl space) with a product called ORTHO HOME DEFENSE MAX and only has to do it twice a year - spring and late summer. I have had NO ANTS in my home since we started this regimen. And although I try to avoid chemicals...this seems to be the ONLY way. If you can find anything better please let me know...but this works VERY WELL for us.
Thanks and good luck!
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red mites | scottiej13 | Sun Apr 29 15:12:24 -0700 2007
I have tiny little red mites that are ravaging my salvias. Which predator should I use?
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Triple blend predator mix | gardenermike | Wed May 09 15:10:16 -0700 2007
There is a whole section of mite predators on the site; the triple-blend mite predator mix is your best bet if you don't know the specific species of mite. Good luck!
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ladybugs | Anonymous | Wed Apr 18 07:14:41 -0700 2007
When is the best time of the year to buy ladybus?
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In Florida | Anonymous | Tue Apr 24 13:11:39 -0700 2007
I just purchased 4700 ladybugs, April 2007, they have made a huge difference already. It has only been a few days but I already see a change. Make sure to let them out at night, they don't seem to like the afternoon sun.
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Eriophyid mites or Oak Mites | Kristine | Fri Apr 13 03:25:37 -0700 2007
I didn't see Oak Mites listed for predator mites. Not on another site either. Are there no predator mites for Oak mites? Apparently insecticides do not work on these fellows either. Help.
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Eriophyid mites may be beneficial | gardenermike | Wed May 09 15:16:23 -0700 2007
Eriophyid mites are little studied; however, they are not generally regarded as harmful. Studies have found that they keep populations of the much more harmful spider mites at bay. Do you have a particular reason for desiring control?
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ladybugs @ praying mantises | herb | Sat Apr 07 14:54:05 -0700 2007
Can the 2 coexist?
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Yes | gardenermike | Mon Apr 09 12:38:23 -0700 2007
Praying mantises may try to eat the ladybugs, but they won't destroy them. Ladybugs are not very desirable prey: they are small, hard, and (mildly) toxic. Praying mantises are not going to seek them out. The two have coexisted in my gardens for years with no problems.
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lady bug information | Bill | Sat Apr 07 13:41:54 -0700 2007
We have a heated full glass patio room about 12 x 16 attached to our house with a sliding door entry from our TV room and we've used this for a "hot house" with excellent results except for a constant investation of Aphids. I think we will try introducing Ladybugs into this environment. (1) How many should we release in this area?, (2) is there going to be a containment problem? (3) Since we don't want to use any type of chemical if we can help it, is this an effective remedy? (4) Is there a ladybug "house" available somewhere? (5) If we also introduce Preying Mantis along with the lady bugs, are they compatible? (6) Anyone have an optional solution? Thanks.
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Probably OK | gardenermike | Mon Apr 09 13:01:57 -0700 2007
Containment will probably be your biggest issue with the ladybugs. Throughout much of the country (including here in Illinois) we have problems with imported Asian ladybugs. They do eat aphids very well, but they like to congregate in warm (read: indoor) places in the fall. Many people consider them pests. I carefully take them outside myself. The H. convergens ladybugs you can buy do not tend to come indoors in the same way, but they will squeeze through small spaces, so don't be surprised to have a few make it indoors.
The ladybugs will probably be an excellent remedy for the problem, but with their voracious appetite they may clean out your aphids and end up hungry. Flowers with extrafloral nectaries (many flowering herbs: look for plants with tiny flowers) can help feed the ladybugs, but the food supply may still run out. This is great for you, but bad for the ladybugs. I'd recommend that you get the smallest size pack (1500/$5.95) and release them in the space until the aphids are gone (probably less than a week), then open the outside doors of the space for a few hours. Most of the ladybugs will leave, but a few will stay to keep eating any aphids that come back after the initial treatment.
There are ladybug houses, and gardeningzone carries one. Look in the ladybugs section. These are great outdoors as well to keep ladybugs around.
I'd recommend against praying mantises. The egg cases release thousands of voracious little mantises, which will probably eat all the aphids, then each other. The space is just two small.
A better long-term solution may be Aphidius ervi. This is a small wasp which attacks aphids specifically, and is commonly used in greenhouses for long-term pest control. Unlike ladybugs, A. ervi are tiny little fly-like creatures you will hardly notice other than that your aphids will be gone!
A. ervi does cost a little more than the ladybugs, but will probably work out better in the long run.
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Ladybugs and praying mantis cases | donna | Fri Apr 06 15:52:59 -0700 2007
I live in massachusetts. When is it safe to purchase and put out ladybugs and praying mantis cases???? Thanks in advance for your assistance.
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Ladybug infestation | DN | Sat Mar 31 06:07:51 -0700 2007
How do I get rid of ladybugs in my house? They are taking over
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Tricky question | gardenermike | Mon Apr 09 13:08:58 -0700 2007
You must live in the Midwest like me. The ladybugs that come in your house are Asian ladybugs. They were brought over by farmers looking to control soybean aphids. They do control the aphids, but unlike the friendly native H. convergens, Asian ladybugs can bite and they stink when accidentally crushed. They also like to congregate in large numbers in warm places in the fall. These warm places include older houses that are not adequately sealed.
You might try the ladybug lure available on this site to draw the ladybugs to a trap or patio. Chances are, though, that the ladybugs won't think much of it. They are coming indoors for one reason: sleep.
The best thing you can do to prevent Asian ladybugs in the house is to seal any openings they enter through. This has the added benefit of lowering your heating bill!
Ladybugs | Bill | Sat Apr 07 13:43:53 -0700 2007
Ship them to me!
ladybug infestation | Anonymous | Fri Apr 06 14:15:37 -0700 2007
you can sell the lady bugs to this website :)
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Status of order & forum registration | Bluburd (HHF2@cs.com) | Wed Mar 21 21:53:48 -0700 2007
I recently ordered 7 praying mantis egg cases, but never received a confirmation! Also, I never received via e-mail a password or something to join the forums. Help!
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Forum no longer requires user | gardenermike | Mon Apr 09 12:41:28 -0700 2007
The forums no longer require a username. User tracking was found to be ineffective, since spammers would just create a user. Instead, we are now using verification images ("captchas"), which are much more effective, and less of a hassle.
As to the order confirmation, emails don't have guaranteed delivery. We do send confirmation emails, be we can't ensure that they will arrive in every case. Feel free to call customer service if you have any questions about your order.
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New forum | gardenermike | Mon Jan 01 14:16:11 -0700 2007
I am the administrator for this forum, and I recently set up this new forum format. Post any questions or problems as answers here. Thanks!
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Purchasing lady bugs | Jamie | Thu Apr 17 06:42:15 -0700 2008
Question: If I need the lady bugs on a certain date to work with kids how far in advance should I order them and how do I perserve/store them until that date. What kind of container are they shipped in.
Thank you
flies, roaches in the house | Anonymous | Sat Jun 09 13:18:53 -0700 2007
this is a question. I have two dogs & nine cats, all are indoor/outdoor. I live near the woods. I have problems with houseflies & roaches. Is there a way to get rid of the pests without harming my pets? or food...
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Food for ladybugs | Anonymous | Fri Sep 01 14:20:41 -0700 2006
Hello, :D
I wish to offer my ladybugs some food to eat ~ they did their job eating up all the pests and now need some more munchies ! what do I feed them ? Thank you for your help.
Sincerely, Joel
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Extrafloral nectaries | gardenermike | Mon Apr 09 13:14:42 -0700 2007
"Extrafloral nectaries" are little nectar sources that some plants produce outside of flowers. They are produced on many small-flowering herbs, like Korean mint, and many natives, like goldenrod. Plants produce this nectar specifically to feed predator insects like ladybugs, to keep them around to eat any pests.
You don't have to try too hard to get this effect: simply plant lots of flowers (particularly wildflowers) and herbs throughout your garden. These will not only keep the predators around, but will also draw pollinators to your vegetables.
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citrus leafminer | Anonymous | Thu Aug 10 20:33:56 -0700 2006
My lemon tree is infected with citrus leafminer. I'm told that parasitic wasps are the best control. Has anyone else had this problem? How did you solve it?
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Wasps | gardenermike | Mon Jan 01 14:02:53 -0700 2007
I don't have personal experience here, but I found some info on the web.
The beneficial wasps Ageniaspis citricola and Cirrospilus coachellae are expected to be the best controls.
Pesticides have little or no impact on leafminers, since leafminers do not live on the surface of the plant.
| sharmankvs | Wed Dec 20 10:00:03 -0700 2006
how do I print this topic?
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adelgids | Anonymous | Tue Jul 18 07:10:06 -0700 2006
I have an old hemlock hedge in the blue ridge mountains that is beginning to become infested with adelgids. Besides introducing ladybugs, is there anything I can do to eliminate this pest before it kills my hemlocks?
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University of Mass has some info | gardenermike | Mon Jan 01 13:55:54 -0700 2007
The University of Massachusetts has some information on adelgids:
"There are a few ladybug beetles that are being researched for their potential in controlling the HWA.
The most common one at this time is Pseudoscymnus tsugae. It is about the size of a poppy seed and
is all black in color. Currently it is not available to the general public. The cost of producing these for
research purposes has been as high as one dollar per beetle and many thousands of beetles may be
needed per tree. Other similar species are also being examined.
Horticultural oil sprays work extremely well when and where they can be properly utilized. It is
important to thoroughly apply the oil throughout the tree. Homeowners can treat their own hemlock
shrubs and hedges with this product. Large trees will need to be sprayed by a professional arborist with
the proper spray application equipment. A dormant oil spray can be applied while the plant is dormant
and the correct weather conditions prevail, generally late March into April. Dormant oils must be
applied before the buds open and when there will not be freezing temperatures for 24 - 48 hours after
application in order to reduce injury to the plants. Do not spray on cold days. Temperatures of at least
45 degrees F. are recommended. However, avoid overcast or wet days which greatly slows the drying
time of the oil.
Horticultural oils can also be applied at the "summer" rate during much of the growing season. Again,
avoid cool, overcast days or hot and humid days. Oil sprays are used for established populations of the
HWA but offer no preventative benefits if the adelgid isn't present. Hemlocks infested with the HWA
should be treated with oil sprays both at the beginning of the growing season and then once again
towards the end of summer to insure proper control. Smaller hemlocks (shrubs) may only require one
application. Once under control, continue to monitor for future re-infestations and then treat once
found."
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Yellowing of Passion Fruit leaves. | Anonymous | Fri Jun 16 02:43:11 -0700 2006
Could someone tell me what causes Passion Fruit leaves to gradually go yellow and some of them are slightly mottled? Is there a remedy for this?
Regards, P :?: auro
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cucumber, watermelon and tomato help | Anonymous | Fri Jun 02 16:06:31 -0700 2006
This is my first garden (organic too). I have found that on my tomato plants and cucumber plants that something is leaving white trails all over the leaves. I can't see any pests and there is no residue. Does anyone know what this is?
Also, my watermelon leaves are being eaten. Small little holes that have a yellow border now. It looks like tiny, tiny blank ants. You can't even feel them when you touch them. Are these aphids? I have just ordered some ladybugs.
Thanks! Sharon
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Castor Oil Affect Nematodes? | ethanyc | Wed May 10 21:29:26 -0700 2006
I bought beneficial nematodes to attack the grubs in my garden. Later, I applied Castor Oil to repel moles. Does the Castor Oil affect beneficial nematode populations?
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Ants, good or bad | bambammer | Sun Apr 23 07:53:03 -0700 2006
Are red any harmful or at all benifical to plants? it seems like all my flowere beds that have mulch spread around them have small colonies of red ants. Should I leave them alone or spread some ant poison around the mulch? Or do ladybugs eat ants too?
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Starting a lady bug colony | bambammer | Sun Apr 23 07:50:02 -0700 2006
How can I start a ladybug colony? I would like to get a repopulating colony going in my gardens. how many ladybugs would it take to get one started and how would I have to maintain it? I have recently lost another 2 hibiscus plants to aphids, and I am trying not to use chemicals that will hurt any bees or ladybugs that drop in for a visit.
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Will my homemade sprays hurt my ladybugs? | Anonymous | Sat Apr 22 04:52:06 -0700 2006
I'm trying my first garden, sort of, (I have a small patio, lol), and I have a spidermite problem on the tomatoes. I've been trying different home-brewed pesticides like garlic, Tabasco, lemon, etc. Should I stop playing around and get some ladybugs?, can I use both? I want to stay away from any harsh chemicals.
Thanks
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Home spray vs ladybugs | Anonymous | Thu Jul 05 17:12:02 -0700 2007
Try one or the other - I suggest using a week safer soap. If you buy ladybugs, they will likely fly to another area and help out someone else's garden. Also, the home brews WILL affect ladybug larvae and juveniles - which do not look like the adults and do not have the protective shell. Safer soap is a contact killer - has to contact the bugs so just check the tomatoes before hand.
Homebrew likely ok | Anonymous | Mon Mar 19 15:47:31 -0700 2007
Since the ladybugs are not eating from the plants all of the time, they should be fine with the homebrew pest control, unlike the pest insects who are continuously exposed.
this kills my spider mites no problem, cheap and easy too... | Anonymous | Wed May 03 11:09:17 -0700 2006
go to home depot or garden supply store and buy safer's soap concentrate. mix 3oz per gallon and spray till runoff on mites. also gets rid of thripes gnats and some other stuff it happens to hit, but if you have ladybugs they won't be affected a bit!
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aphids | Anonymous | Fri Apr 07 08:44:45 -0700 2006
I have an aphid problem in my 100+ year old Chinese elm. I live in the Chicagoland area. My question is: When can I release ladybugs this spring? Thanks in advance for your kind attention to this matter.
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mole/gopher problem | kbutch | Sun Feb 05 06:35:07 -0700 2006
I was told to find "milky spore" to attack the grubs -which if eradicated -would then drive the moles away for lack of food. Does anyone know what "milky spore" is and how to locate/purchase?
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| Anonymous | Mon Apr 30 14:58:28 -0700 2007
10 oz. Milky Spore Treats 2,500 Sq. Ft. $24.95 sku 310801 at Yardiac.com
Effective against white grubs (Japanese beetle larvae.) Milky Spore contains bacteria (Bacillus popillae) which infect the grubs. Remains viable in the soil for 15 to 20 years. Only one treatment is necessary in most cases. In warm climates good control can occur in one to three years. In cooler areas like (New England), three to five years may be necessary.
Milky Spore is not affected by freezing or other adverse environmental conditions. Milky Spore is not affected by fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides or other lawn chemicals.
Milky Spore is harmless to food crops. It may be used in gardens, around pools and wells. Milky Spore does NOT affect pets, beneficial insects, fish, bees, birds, other animals, plants, or man. It is NOT a poison.
Grubs become infected by swallowing a spore and this occurs by happenstance when feeding on grass roots. The more spores in a given area, the greater chance for infection. Each infected grub dies and releases 3 billion new spores into the soil.
Milky Spore has unlimited shelf life as long as it is stored in a cool dry place.
Re: mole/gopher problem | ethanyc | Wed May 10 19:56:42 -0700 2006
[quote:619e879c44="kbutch"]I was told to find "milky spore" to attack the grubs -which if eradicated -would then drive the moles away for lack of food. Does anyone know what "milky spore" is and how to locate/purchase?[/quote:619e879c44]
milky spore is an organism that grows in the ground, and selectively kills grubs. you can purchase it online--just google "milky spore" and you'll find a number of companies that sell the substance. it takes a few years to colonize, and to eradicate the grubs, but i read that it is very effective once it is established in your lawn.
however, getting rid of the grubs won't solve your mole problem. moles eat earthworms as well, and milky spore will not affect your earthworm population. i have found castor oil (available in a spray or granule from your garden supply store) to be an effective mole repellent. apply it liberally to your entire lawn.
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Praying Mantids Egg Case | Anonymous | Wed Dec 21 09:21:36 -0700 2005
I have had my praying mantis egg cases out for about two months now and they haven't hatched yet. Can anyone give me some guidance about how I can help them along, with the hatching. It is winter here so I am thinking that maybe it has something to do with the weather. If so I would still like to hatch them indoors.
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praying mantis | cris | Tue Apr 10 21:27:58 -0700 2007
praying do indeed the warmth and a nice amount of foliage, they are cannabilistic, so if you them indoors they will eat each other, give it time and foliage to hide
Might want to wait | Anonymous | Wed Dec 21 11:41:53 -0700 2005
Mantis egg cases respond to warm weather. This is for a good reason: winter can kill fragile young mantises. While you could probably get them to hatch indoors (in a box to keep them from running away! And check regularly!), that might not be a good idea, unless you are sure the weather is warn enough, and there is enough prey for the young mantises to eat.
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Silver Buttonwoods and aphids | Anonymous | Sat Dec 17 07:43:39 -0700 2005
I love silver buttonwoods. I have a multi-species hedge growning along the back of my property. Of the 8 varieties of plants, the aphids seem to love eating my buttowoods the most. I havegotten tired of spraying for them and ordered a sack of lady bugs. I will probably get a sack every couple of weeks. Does anybody know why my buttonwoods and hybiscus plants get attacked so much and what I can do to prevent it in the future? Sixty dollars a month for lady bugs will kill my budget. :cry:
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| Anonymous | Fri Dec 23 16:59:01 -0700 2005
Well, I took a branch and a squashed bug to my lawn and garden supply store and they said they were aphids. I was working in the yard today and found only 1 of the ladybugs I released 2 days ago. But the good news is, I found none of the little white bugs that were eating everything. My hedge is about 110 feet back from my house 10 feet from my shed. My hibiscus bushes are mainly outside my windows to act as a sunshade. I have a few more scattered over the property which is 165 ft by 100 ft.
That big of a problem? | Anonymous | Wed Dec 21 14:50:45 -0700 2005
So, your buttonwood and hibiscus is being destroyed by aphids? I've found that aphids are rarely a problem except in special circumstances: being next to a monoculture farm, plant isolation (like on a porch), or some other unusual situation. Where is your hedge? What about your hibiscus? Are you sure that aphids are the problem?
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