Controlling greenhouse pests can be especially difficult for the organic greenhouse gardener. Many so-called natural pest control methods turn out to be offensive to the sensitive organic gardeners code of growing ethics. Some of the best organic ways of controlling greenhouse pests are biological warfare, soap sprays, and horticultural oils.   Controlling Greenhouse Pests with Neem Oil

This organic insect deterrent is generally deemed safe for use in the organic greenhouse. It does not kill parasitic insects, but instead acts as a deterrent, keeping them from feeding on treated foliage. It helps put a stop to insect infestations by interfering with the insects ability to reproduce.

The oil is mixed with water and a small amount of liquid dish soap, to act as an emulsifier, and used to water affected plants, including the underside of leaves. It is effective in treating infestations of: aphids, armyworms, caterpillars, cockroaches, potato beetles, cutworms, flies, fungus gnats, gypsy moth caterpillars, leaf miners, leaf rollers, lily leaf beetles, locusts, mealy bugs, and mites.

Controlling Greenhouse Pests with Beneficial Nematodes

Beneficial Nematodes are a microscopic parastitic round worm often used for pest control. The worm waits in the soil to attach itself to passing insects. They come in a suspended solution that is applied to plants using a garden hose or sprayer and cannot be applied in direct sunlight. In fact, beneficial nematodes are best applied on a rainy day.   Beneficial Nematodes are effective against army worms, billbugs, crickets, bark beetles, black vine weevils, corn earworms, crane flies, cucumber beetles, cutworms, fleas, flies, fungus gnats, grubs, Japanese Beetles, June Beetles, masked chaffers,  May Beetles, mole crickets, mushroom flies, root weevils, scarab beetles, squash bugs, ticks, webworms, weevils, and wood borers.   Controlling Greenhouse Pests with Lady Bugs

Lady Bug Beetles are notorious aphid consumers. These beetles are shipped live and released near affected plants after watering. Adults will breed and lay eggs on the leaves of plants infested with Aphids. The larvae eat aphids as well as adults.

Controlling Greenhouse Pests with Insecticidal Soaps

Insecticidal soaps are a good all-purpose treatment for a variety of greenhouse pests. However, be aware that if you are using biological control methods, such as the afore mentioned Lady Bug Beetles, insecticidal soaps do not differentiate between good and bad bugs in the greenhouse. These soaps are organic and safe to use in the greenhouse, but you will have to monitor delicate plants while using insecticidal soaps as some of your less-hardy plants may be burned by some soaps.

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