Chances are many beneficial insects already live in your garden, but not at the population densities necessary to effectively control certain pests. So it may be necessary to seek reinforcements and actively augment your defenses by releasing a variety of commercially available beneficials.
The release technique will depend on the type of organism, its life stage, and any specific packaging. In this video, Jaret Daniels, Ph.D., assistant director of research at the University of Florida’s McGuire Center for Lepidoptera Research, demonstrates several methods for distributing these “bugs for hire” in your garden.
For a complete primer and resource guide, read Jaret’s article, “Releasing Beneficials in the Home Garden,” in the May/June 2003 issue of Fine Gardening (#91).
Comments
Absolutely GREAT!!! THANK YOU for sharing your knowledge! In France I saw lady bugs sold in super markets and gardening/plants shops, sometimes with a house. I'm just worried that they may be eaten by birds because there are hundreds of birds flying around in my garden for there is a river and a lake, best places for bugs to grow. And birds are after them.
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