Lace Bug Control (for Azaleas & Rhododendrons)

Prices

	Small Garden	Large Garden
Multiple Release	$78.00	$120.00

All prices include postage & GST

The following information can be downloaded as a PDF:Azalea Lace Bug Control

Azalea Lace Bug Control is simple, cheap and effective with Bug Central. Lacewings are a native predator found throughout southern Australia, which eat a wide range of insects. Experience over the last 5 years has shown that lacewings offer a reliable control option for lace bugs for Azaleas and Rhododendrons.

Several releases of lacewings are normally required to keep lace bugs under control. First release should be made once young lace bugs are evident on the underside of leaves, normally around early summer but this varies between seasons and locations.

Each order includes 2 lots of lacewings, sent 2 weeks apart. Follow up releases are usually required after Christmas, in particular if lace bug numbers remain high. If higher numbers of lace bugs are already present, particularly adults, then a soft spray option may be required before releasing lacewings. If you are not sure of the best options, please email us prior to ordering.

The Product consists of either 4 punnets (for a small garden) or 8 punnets (for a large garden) of around 100 Lacewings, delivered twice two weeks apart. Included with your order is information on releasing the lacewings, and ideas on controlling lace bugs in a range of situations. This will be emailed to you prior to receiving the lacewings, and provides in depth information on how to achieve the best result with the lacewings, and how this fits with the bigger picture of lace bug control.

Releasing the Lacewings is a simple as spreading the contents of each punnet of lacewings evenly around the target area. This takes only a few minutes! Detailed information on the release method is included in the information that will be emailed to you after placing your order.

To Order, visit our website and simply choose the product option on our secure on-line order system. You will receive confirmation of your order within 3 working days, including an expected delivery date. The lace bug control product is delivered by Australia Post’s Express Post service, so delivery time is normally only 1 to 2 days from orders being processed.

Green lacewings are one of the most widespread, native predators in Australia. Whilst they are most active in warmer regions, they can tolerate a wide range of climates including greenhouses. Larvae grow to 8 mm in around 12 days. They then pupate, with adults emerging after a further 9 days. Adults will begin laying eggs 7 days after emergence. Development takes around 4 weeks in warmer climates. Adult females lay up to 600 eggs.

Pests generally build up rapidly at the start of each new season, with predators & parasites not active until pests have reached damaging levels.   By releasing large numbers of good bugs, we change the development of the pest population early in the season. This is demonstrated in the graphs below.

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Control will be most effective if beneficials are released before high pest levels occur.

Lacewings, as with most predators and parasites, work best in gardens where a mixture of plants are growing. This ensures a range of insects will be available to sustain a population when pest numbers are low, and also provide alternative food sources such as nectar.

Detailed information is not available on the toxicity of all pesticides, but it is fair to say that many will kill your Lacewings! Some fungicides will also cause disruption to natural enemies, and it is better to avoid products that do not specifically detail their effects on beneficials.

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) relies on a range of activities to reduce pests. IPM does not aim to totally eliminate pests, as this is neither natural nor desirable. IPM seeks to achieve a balance between all organisms in the garden, and releasing good bugs helps maintain this balance. Using plants that encourage beneficial insects is also recommended.

If a pesticide does need to be applied due to a high level of pest activity, then select the product with the lowest toxicity possible. Releasing predators and parasites after such an application is important, allowing time for the pesticide to dissipate, and to help restore the natural balance.

For further information on this or other products, email questions@bugcentral.com.au

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