If you don't mind a few extra bugs in your home for awhile, biocontrol inside can be very effective.  And if you use small numbers of beneficials and restrict use to non-flying agents you can minimize the chance that they will decide to roam your home.  In most cases the beneficials will disappear after your pests do. Pest: FUNGUS GNATS Fungus gnats eat mainly fungus but can also eat root hairs and initiate root rot, which can kill plants. These pests are common in interior environments. They are small (2-3 mm) mosquito-like flies with one pair of wings. If they have infested potted plants in the home it is not uncommon to see them flying around your computer screen or even a can of pop. They are attracted to carbon dioxide; which people, cans of pop, and plants release. Dark winged fungus gnats are different from the fungus gnats commonly found living in house plants. Although they are about the same size they are from the Sciaridae family and typical fungus gnats are from the family Mycetophilidae. Biocontrol:  Nematodes (Hb, Sc) together with Mycostop Application: Nematodes together with the biofungicide Mycostop is a good example of multiple control tactics. The nematodes infect the fungus gnat larvae and the Mycostop kills off their fungal food source, which aside from making them hungry makes them weaker and more vulnerable to nematode infection. Steinernema feltiae nematodes have been shown to give control of dark winged fungus gnats and others. It is not necessary to use the Mycostop, but it will increase the efficacy of the nematodes.   units Select from the drop-down list of nematodes. 1 million Heterorhabditis bacteriophora nematodes $24.95 6 million Heterorhabditis bacteriophora nematodes $52.95 25 million Heterorhabditis bacteriophora nematodes $139.50 1 million Steinernema carpocapsae nematodes $24.95 6 million Steinernema carpocapsae nematodes $52.95 25 million Steinernema carpocapsae nematodes $139.50 10 million Steinernema feltiae nematodes $48.13 25 million Steinernema feltiae nematodes $69.95 units Select from the drop-down list of Mycostop products. 1 gram packages of Mycostop biofungicide $18.50 5 gram packages of Mycostop biofungicide $40.50 25 gram packages of Mycostop biofungicide $154.50 Product incls release instructions. S&H info   Biocontrol:  Hypoaspis miles (soil-dwelling mite) Application:  H. miles don't only eat thrips, but also fungus gnat larvae. Because they will survive in low fungus knat populations.These mites are best used for long-term control after the infestation has been cleaned up with Mycostop and nematodes.   units Select from the drop-down list to add to your shopping cart. 15,000 Hypoaspis miles in vermiculite & peat all stages $37.95 Product incls release instructions. S&H info   Pest: SPIDER MITES (Tetranychus urticae and others) Biocontrol: Neoseiulus fallacis (All-purpose spider predatory mite) Application:  Neoseiulus (=Amblyseius) (pyrethrin resistant strain) will do the job.  But for broad mites N. californicus is best.  G. occidentalis works best in hot conditions.  M. longipes and N. californicus like low humidity and light pest densities.   units Select from the drop-down list to add to your shopping cart. 2,500 Neoseiulus fallacis on bean leaves (pyrethrin resistant) $39.95 5,000 Neoseiulus fallacis in corn grit (pyrethrin resistant) $59.95 Product incls release instructions. S&H info   Pest: THRIPS Biocontrol: Two predatory mites Neoseiulus = Amblyseius cucumeris (Thrips predatory mite) and Hypoaspis miles (soil-dwelling mite) Application: Together N. cucumeris and H. miles work much better than either would alone (positive synergism).  And H. miles don't only eat thrips, but also fungus gnat larvae. units Select from the drop-down list to add to your shopping cart. 50,000 Neoseiulus (=Amblyseius) cucumeris in bran (all stages) $37.95 units Select from the drop-down list to add to your shopping cart. 15,000 Hypoaspis miles in vermiculite & peat (all stages) $37.95 Product incls release instructions. S&H info   Biocontrol: Orius insidiosus (insidious flower bug) Applicaton: Control with this thrips predator can be varied.  Some years it does quite well and others not so well.  Try them and let us know what you think.     units Select from the drop-down list to add to your shopping cart. 500 Orius insidiosus adults & nymphs in buckwheat hulls $75.50 Product incls release instructions. S&H info   Pest: Armored scale species Biocontrol: Aphytis melinus (golden chalcid armored scale parasitoid) Application: Works great on the right armored scale.  But you need to do some experimenting.  Fortunately, they're not that expensive.   units Select from the drop-down list to add to your shopping cart. 10,000 Aphytis melinus adults $45.95 Product incls release instructions. S&H info   Pest: MEALYBUGS Biocontrol: Cryptolaemus montrouzieri (mealybug destroyer) Application:  These guys are usually very effective.  They eat eggs, crawlers, and some adults.  They look like mealybugs, but don't worry they're not. units Select from the drop-down list to add to your shopping cart. 100 Cryptolaemus montrouzieri adults $35.95 500 Cryptolaemus montrouzieri adults $119.95 Product incls release instructions. S&H info   Pest: STORED-PRODUCT PESTS Control: Dispose of infested food and seal new grains in glass jars with a tight lid. Pest: COCKROACHES Biocontrol: under investigation Control: Be certain that they do not have access to any of your stored food or garbage.  Seal cracks and crevices in kitchens and pantries where they may hide and come out at night to scavenge for food.  Pheromone baited traps are available to monitor your progress.  These traps may be available through a special request.

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