Sound Horticulture Bug Blog

Start in the Soil

Start in the Soil

Often when we walk into a greenhouse our gaze sweeps across the sea of green and we admire the colors, the light and the variety of plant life. We should however follow the admonitions from Les Mis and ‘Look Down’ to investigate where it all starts. In the soil. There are several pests that inhabit this dark underworld, and using biocontrols for these pests is the cornerstone for many programs.

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The Mighty Predatory Mites

The Mighty Predatory Mites
These mighty mites are a great entry into using biocontrols. They ship well, are easy to use, and effective. But what is a mite? Mites are tiny arachnids with two body parts, four pairs of legs and sucking mouthparts. These extremely small creatures are about the size of the period at the end of this sentence. They feed on other mites, tiny insects like young thrips and scale, as well as the eggs of insects and mites. Not all predatory mites are the same. This makes them perfect for a greenhouse environment or outdoor crops where change can be constant due to weather, culture, and pest pressure. Continue reading
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