Home of "Gardening with Bugs" and "Spencer Brewing".
“The biggest thing in biological pest control since chemical resistance.” Anystis baccarum, or The Crazee Mite (also known as the Whirligig Mite) is a cosmopolitan (world wide distribution) predatory mite and an impressive destroyer of common greenhouse, ornamental and agricultural pests. Adult Anystis finishing a green peach aphid. The Crazee Mite is known for controlling... Continue Reading →
How to control aphids. It's simple. Put down the spray bottle of home remedy and do what the professionals do. Learn how, here.
Control of Flea Beetles can be easy and chemical free. Learn about their lifecycle and how that makes them easy targets for traditional Bio-Control Agents.
Control of the coreopsis beetle is a multi-step process. First, get rid of the adults, and then prepare for the damaging larva left behind. This article explores non-toxic methods of coreopsis beetle control.
Warning: This is not for beginners. If you like the “squirt squirt” of a spray bottle, don’t even read this. I’m in a unique position working with aphid and other plant pest control in commercial crops. With my experience comes an understanding/tolerance for pests: I can tell if a pest population is something to worry... Continue Reading →
Aphidoletes aphidimyza (common name: Aphidoletes [a-fid-o-lee-tees]) is among the most used aphid controls in agriculture, horticulture, landscapes, greenhouses and especially ornamentals. Like all the best biological control agents, Aphidoletes works with a combination of eating lots, but also by multiplying quickly, overcoming the pest. Aphidoletes larva searching for aphids Where it comes from: Aphidoletes were... Continue Reading →
If you’ve read along with my previous three posts on attracting Beneficial Insects and Mites, I thank you. And I think you’re prepared for something a little more academic, regarding Economic and Cosmetic Thresholds as well as tolerance and patience. Really, it takes little to attract good bugs. A healthy garden is all. But first,... Continue Reading →
Lawns Lawn is a waste of space. I know, I know…I love it too. It’s green in the winter and cool in the summer it looks tidy and it keeps nature on the fringes. I grew up with a lawn for playing and sledding on. It is my dogs’ recreation space, and I intend on... Continue Reading →
It was a rainy night. Bob heard a commotion outside his third floor apartment and opened the blinds to look down at the street. Two people were huddled in alcoves of closed businesses. Bob thought to himself: Who are these people? Why are they not inside? One of these people was a man. Bob didn’t... Continue Reading →
Lesson Two: If you build it, will they come? This lesson will focus on structures that promote (or claim to promote) beneficial insects in your yard. Some structures in the garden have been proven to aid organic gardens in a variety of ways. Most notable and obvious is keeping honeybees to promote pollination of fruit... Continue Reading →
