Want to try predatory insects

TripleMindedGee5150

TripleMindedGee5150

Well-Known Member
So I've been spraying neem and spinsad on a cycle now. But once I start to preflower I hate using those. I have a mosquito net around my plants so I was thinking of getting predatory insects. Maybe they stick around ?

Question where in the bay area can I find Mantis eggs / lady bugs ?
Thanks

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ghgou812

ghgou812

Active Member
Lady bugs can be bought on line and are relatively cheap. 1500 for $10 - $20. For outdoor use, there are also tips on how to store them, length of time you can store them, when to release them so they hang around and other info.

I have about 25 - 35 in my indoor rooms right now as it is mite time where I'm located.

Good luck and keep us posted!
 
ghgou812

ghgou812

Active Member
I'm in hopes it affects the plants the same way a little cow manure does... LOL only in miniscule amounts. 8-)
 
D

Dirty Harry

Well-Known Member
Depending on the time of the year and shipping temps. I ordered some way back when, don't remember where, about $20 for a butt load. When they arrived the instructions said to put in the refrigerator for a few hours to cool them before releasing. 99% were let loose outdoors and 1% was indoor. The indoor did not live very long, but neither did the spider mites.
 
Grow4myfriends

Grow4myfriends

Active Member
Yeah ladybugs are so awesome. I captured one when I had a small spider mite infestation.

Dropped her on a leaf and watched her walk around and stop occasionally to munch a spider mite. VERY satisfying to watch.

But then I lost track of her. But she, and my pyrethrum/water treatment killed off spider mites. Poor ladybug died of indigestion probly.
 
TripleMindedGee5150

TripleMindedGee5150

Well-Known Member
One lone ladybug ? Musta been a thugged out ladybug LOL. My kid just caught one yesterday. We poked holes in a water bottle. If 100 more could just fly into my car that would be great.

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theking2202004

theking2202004

Active Member
I tried ladybugs but I had to release 1475 of them into the wild. The ones that I put into the garden died a week later. I just ordered praying mantis so.......
 
Da Mann

Da Mann

Well-Known Member
Got to love bugs. The Hydro shop by me has them in packages with as little as 100. Like $3.00. They will stay as long as there is food.I do not use any chemical poison. The strongest stuff I use is a pepper spay I make and a soap called Safer Soap.
 
Dr.Pecker

Dr.Pecker

Well-Known Member
I have three praying mantis egg clutches in my greenhouse.You need ladybug larva they look like little alligators.The larva do all the work not the beetles fyi.
 
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crazyhazey

crazyhazey

Well-Known Member
ladybugs are more high maintenance imo, companion plants that attract beneficial mites and/or deter predator mites are easier to keep up on, some also have more positive effects. i also use homemade organicide(marigolds, teaspoon of canola oil, garlic, sometimes neem if i feel the need) during flower, usually only on the fan leaves and early on like the first 3 weeks, after that i spray it on the stem or the top soil. they do have extracts only containing the chemical deterring these mites, but id do some research first, never know how natural the extraction is.

but there is those times when these mites are the best option, such as later on during flower. praying mantis are also something to look into.
 
Dr.Pecker

Dr.Pecker

Well-Known Member
Good bet you will find one within 50 yards of your house. i guess you get 1 to 300 out of an egg sack.
 
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tyke1973

tyke1973

Well-Known Member
Lady birds eat up to 700/900 afids a day,every grow i do do has at least 20 in the room and i have found them 6 month later even afetr looking at the plants close and i could not see any insects on any leafs,they were eating something or they would have been dead,they cause no damage they eat only other insects and insect eggs,and even turn on each other once they lay eggs the last to hatch get eaten by the first to hatch great little gardeners friends plus there free.

Watch last niights spring watch on bbc two there was a great short film about them they just love munching on the beast we need shut off
 
ErieR33FER

ErieR33FER

Well-Known Member
I suggest safer soap. It's non toxic, washes away, all natural, and you can use it for pre flower stage untill full flowering. Once full flowering starts I have never had a problem with bugs at this stage because the THC coursing through the plant is a natural defense and kills bugs.

I have seriously found flies and other harmful insects crystallized to leaves because they get super toxic stoned and the plant grows thc over the carcass ( hihly sativa, potent thc strains)
 
TripleMindedGee5150

TripleMindedGee5150

Well-Known Member
Hey wasps are also carnivores right ? I get a few wasp hanging around inside the net ... I'm haven't ordered anything yet. I'm going to ask my local hydro store

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