PEST SOLUTIONS

Find your pest in the left column on the chart below. The next column tells you our recommended solution. The third column gives you information about the rate at which to apply the insects or the application method. The last column gives you tips on how to use the products.

Pest InsectBeneficial InsectRate or MethodRelease info
AphidsGreen Lacewing
(Chrysoperla rufilabris)
2 per sq foot
10k to 50k per acre
500 - 1000 per tree
Use 3 releases every 2 weeks
AphidsLadybugs (Hippodamia convengens)2 - 5 per sq foot
1 gallon per 1/4 acre
Use 4 releases at 3 day intervals
Artichoke Moth LarvaeBeneficial Nematodes (Steinernema feltiae)SpraySpray Artichoke heads
ArmywormsBeneficial Nematodes (Steinernema feltiae)SpraySpray the affected area
Black Currant BorersBeneficial Nematodes (Steinernema feltiae)SpraySpray cutting and bushes
Black Vine WeevilsBeneficial Nematodes (Steinernema feltiae)Top DressingHoe into soil or add to potting soil
Brown garden snailDecollate Snails (Rumina decollata)Water then release in the evening, .1 - 1/sq ftPut them out in groups of 3 or 4 in areas where they are likely to find brown snails.
Cabbage Root MaggotsBeneficial Nematodes (Steinernema feltiae)Top DressingPut in seed furrows or on roots
Carpenter WormsBeneficial Nematodes (Steinernema feltiae)InjectionInject Burrows
Caterpillars (includes over 200 species of Lepidopterous insects)Trichogramma1 - 5 per sq foot
40k to 200k per acre
Try to release during egg laying periods
Releasing at 1 week intervals improves effectiveness
Chinch BugsBeneficial Nematodes (Steinernema feltiae)Use 7M per 1,000 sq ftSpray the affected area
Codling MothTrichogramma1 - 5 per sq foot
40k to 200k per acre
Try to release during egg laying periods
Releasing at 1 week intervals improves effectiveness
Codling MothBeneficial Nematodes (Steinernema feltiae)SpraySpray tree trunks & around drip line in Summer & Fall
Corn BorersBeneficial Nematodes (Steinernema feltiae)1 - 5 per sq foot
40k to 200k per acre
Try to release during egg laying periods
Releasing at 1 week intervals improves effectiveness
Corn EarwormsTrichogramma1 - 5 per sq foot
40k to 200k per acre
Try to release during egg laying periods
Releasing at 1 week intervals improves effectiveness
Corn EarwormsBeneficial Nematodes (Steinernema feltiae)SprayUse as a foliar spray or inject silks weekly
Corn RootwormsBeneficial Nematodes (Steinernema feltiae)Top DressingApply in seed furrows
Cotton BollwormsTrichogramma1 - 5 per sq foot
40k to 200k per acre
Try to release during egg laying periods
Releasing at 1 week intervals improves effectiveness
Crane Fly LarvaeBeneficial Nematodes (Steinernema feltiae)Use 7M per 1,000 sq ftApply to soil early in the spring
Cucumber BeetlesBeneficial Nematodes (Steinernema feltiae)Top DressingMix in mulch or apply in seed furrows
EarwigsPraying Mantids
(Tenodera aridifolia sinensis)
Hatch in container or attach egg to branchrelease early in spring
Fire AntsBeneficial Nematodes (Steinernema feltiae)1 million BN per ant hillMix contents with 3 1/2 gal of water. Pour 1/2 gal of the mixture down each mound
Flea LarvaeBeneficial Nematodes (Steinernema feltiae)SprayingSpray on lawns or soil, keep moist
Flea BeetlesBeneficial Nematodes (Steinernema feltiae)SprayingMix in mulch or apply in seed furrows
Flies (manure flies)Fly Parasites (Mixed species)1000 per large animalRelease every 2 weeks during fly season
Fruit Fly-GreyBeneficial Nematodes (Steinernema feltiae)SprayingSpray into the soil
Fungus GnatBeneficial Nematodes (Steinernema feltiae)Top DressingMix into potting soil
GrubsBeneficial Nematodes (Steinernema feltiae)Use 7M per 1,000 sq ftSpray soil when pests are in larval state in soil.
Gypsy MothBeneficial Nematodes (Steinernema feltiae)SprayingSpray on lawns to kill migrating larvae
Japanese Beetle GrubBeneficial Nematodes (Steinernema feltiae)SprayingSpray on lawns or Mix into mulch
June BugsBeneficial Nematodes (Steinernema feltiae)Use 7M per 1,000 sq ftSpray soil early in the spring
Leafminers (citrus leafminers)Beneficial Nematodes (Steinernema feltiae)Use 7M per 350 sq ftApply to plants & soil. Adding 1 - 2 ozs wetting agent helps
Leather JacketsBeneficial Nematodes (Steinernema feltiae)InjectionInject into soil or mulch
MealybugsCryptolaemus1 - 5 per sq foot
500 - 5000 per acre
Use at first appearance of mealybug and continue as needed.
Mole CricketBeneficial Nematodes (Steinernema feltiae)Top DressingApply to burrows, keep moist
Onion MaggotsBeneficial Nematodes (Steinernema feltiae)Top DressingApply to furrows, keep moist
Poplar Clearerwing BorersBeneficial Nematodes (Steinernema feltiae)InjectionInject burrows
Raspberry Crown BorersBeneficial Nematodes (Steinernema feltiae)Top DressingMix into soil near base
Root knot NematodesBeneficial Nematodes (Steinernema feltiae)25,000 per square footUse as soon as Root Knot Nematodes are suspected
Scale - hard (red, yellow)Aphytis melinus1 per 20 scales
1 per 2 sq feet
10,000 per acre
500 - 1000 per tree
Use 3 releases at 2 week intervals
Scale - soft (black, brown)Metaphycus helvolus1 per 20 scales
1 per 2 sq feet
3000 per acre
Use 4 releases at 10 day intervals
SnailsDecolatte SnailsWater then release in the evening, .1 - 1/sq ftPut them out in groups of 3 or 4 in areas where they are likely to find brown snails.
Sod WebwormsBeneficial Nematodes (Steinernema feltiae)SprayingSpray onto sod, keep moist
Spider MitesPredatory Mites2 - 5 per plant
.5 - 1 per sq foot
1k - 30k per acre
Use as needed
Spruce BudwormsTrichogramma1 - 5 per sq foot
40k to 200k per acre
Try to release during egg laying periods Releasing at 1 week intervals
Squash Vine Borer LarvaeBeneficial Nematodes (Steinernema feltiae)Use 7M per 1,000 sq ftSpray soil early in the spring
Strawberry WeevilsBeneficial Nematodes (Steinernema feltiae)Top DressingMix into soil and/or apply to roots
Thrips (western flower thrips, Chilean rose thrips, and more)Beneficial Nematodes (Steinernema feltiae)Use 7 million per 350 sq ftApply to buds & flowers and the soil. Adding 1 - 2 ozs wetting agent helps
Thrips (western flower thrips, Chilean rose thrips, and more)Green Lacewing
(Chrysoperla rufilabris)
2 per sq foot
10k to 50k per acre
500 - 1000 per tree
Use 3 releases every 2 weeks
Tobacco BudwormsBeneficial Nematodes (Steinernema feltiae)Spraying or InjectionSpray or Inject flowerbuds weekly
Tomato Horn WormsTrichogramma1 - 5 per sq foot
40k to 200k per acre
Try to release during egg laying periods Releasing at 1 week intervals
WeevilsBeneficial Nematodes (Steinernema feltiae)7 million per 1000 sq ft
1 billion per 3.5 acres
Release when pests are in larval state in soil.
Spray into tree trunks for borers.
WhiteflyEncarsia Formosa5 parasites per plant
2 - 4 per sq foot
Use 4 releases at 2 week intervals
WhiteflyDelphastus (Delphastus pusillus).1 per sq foot
25 per 250 - 500 sq feet
Use as needed
WhiteflyGreen Lacewing
(Chrysoperla rufilabris)
2 per sq foot
10k to 50k per acre
500 - 1000 per tree
Use 3 releases every 2 weeks
White GrubsBeneficial Nematodes (Steinernema feltiae)SprayingSpray or Mix into soil
WirewormsBeneficial Nematodes (Steinernema feltiae)Top DressingApply to seed furrows or transplant roots
Wooly AphidsGreen Lacewing
(Chrysoperla rufilabris)
2-3 per sq footRelease every 2 weeks
Wooly AphidsLadybugs (Hippodamia convengens)2-5 per sq footRelease at three week intervals