Will your insects survive in 25 degree weather?
Dear Frozen Gardener,
Brrr, I know 25 degrees is too cold for me to be outdoors.
Most insects -beneficial or pest- will not survive in such cold temperatures but there are a few Beneficial’s that will survive if they are in the egg/cocoon stage such as Praying Mantids or Mason Bees. They are used to overwintering in the cold and will hatch out as the weather warms. Others such as Ladybugs hibernate in cold weather, emerging as the weather warms. But if the temperatures are cold/freezing for a prolonged time even they may not survive. Beneficial Nematodes are in the ground and as long as the ground does not freeze they are still at work. Even if the air is 25 the ground is usually much warmer. In fact you can use Beneficial Nematodes indoors to control fungus gnats any time of the year. Actually many of the beneficial insects can be used in greenhouses, sun porches, and garden rooms- or other places plants are stored over winter- to control pests. If the plants are growing and the pest is around it is warm enough for the good bug too. The bad bugs that are plaguing your garden may also meet their demise if the winter temps are colder then normal. Some may migrate to warmer climates or overwinter in egg or other stages insulated from the cold but just like the good bugs if the temps are too cold the populations may be diminished, so extreme cold now could mean fewer bad bugs invading your garden in the coming growing season. But as soon as you see pest bugs you can count on there being a beneficial insect available to control it instead of having to use chemical pesticides. |
