Hydroponics Of The Caribbean • The best source of Horticulture, Organics and Hydrogardening Supplies In The Caribbean

Nature’s way of controlling garden pests without chemicals! Beneficial insects feast on aphids, mites, caterpillars and other plant-consuming bugs and are harmless to people, plants and pets. Our comprehensive selection helps you match the correct predator/parasite to your pest problem. For best results, make releases at the first sign of a problem. If pest populations are high, use the least-toxic, short-lived natural pesticide — Insecticidal Soaps, Horticultural Oils, Botanical Insecticides — to establish control before releasing predators/parasites. Need help? Our knowledgeable staff can help

	Lady Bugs Ladybugs, or lady beetles (Hippodamia convergens) are the best known garden predators available. Unlike most beneficial insects, live ladybugs are gathered and prepared (removal of debris) for sale all over the United States. Both the adult and their dark gray and orange marked larvae feed on aphids (40-50 per day) and a wide variety of other soft-bodied pests, mites and insect eggs
	Predatory Mites Produced commercially for years, Predatory Mites (Phytoseiulus persimilis) are an effective biological control for use against the two spotted spider mite. These natural enemies do not bite people, feed on other insects or injure plants. Once released, they will immediately begin searching for food on the underside of leaves. Control of a light infestation should occur in two to three weeks. On heavier infestations a second release may be required.
	Whitefly Parasites Whitefly Parasites (Encarsia formosa) are the most cost effective biological control agent to control greenhouse whiteflies. An aggressive, non-stinging parasitic wasp, it is attracted to its host by the actual smell of the honeydew produced by the pest, detecting this from several feet distance. Adult parasites will feed on this honeydew but also on pest body fluids through a hole made in the whitefly larvae.
	Whitefly Parasites Trichogramma (T. pretiosum, T. brassicae and T. minutum spp.) are tiny parasitic wasps that have a wingspan of 1/50th of an inch. They are a very efficient destroyer of the eggs of more than 200 species of moths and butterflies (Lepidoptera) which are leaf eaters in their caterpillar stage. Examples of such garden pests include corn earworm, cutworm, cabbage looper, armyworm, borers and codling moth caterpillar.
	Mealbug Destroyer The Mealybug Destroyer (Cryptolaemus montrouzieri) is used against all species of mealybugs and will feed on aphids and soft scale when mealybugs are scarce. Adult and larval stages are both predatory. Used by the citrus industry in California, this predatory insect is credited with the complete control of the citrus mealybug. Shipped as adults.
	Aphid Predators Aphid Predators (Aphidoletes aphidimyza) ship as 2,000 small pupae mixed with vermiculite that soon hatch out into adult gall-midges. Attracted by the smell of honeydew, these tiny adults quickly seek out aphids and lay their eggs near the colony. After about 2 to 3 days the eggs hatch into bright-orange larvae which immediately begin feeding on aphid colonies.
	Minute Pirate Bug A voracious predator, the Minute Pirate Bug (Orius spp.) is a diamond-patterned black & white predator with a distinctive sucking beak and an insatiable appetite. It stuffs its 3 mm length with large amounts of thrips, spider mites, aphids, and the eggs and larval stages of many soft bodied insects such as small caterpillars.
	Praying Mantis The fascinating Praying Mantis (Tenodera aridifolia sinensis) gets its name from its motionless raised front legs, which it uses to hold its prey. A ferocious predator, it will attack just about any insect in its path, and unfortunately this includes other beneficial insects.