Control whitefly in greenhouses and conservatories usingt this brilliant parasitic wasp.
The Pest : Tiny white moth-like sap-sucking pests, usually in massive quantities, that fly up when disturbed. The young stage is small, waxy scale-like and greenish white, found beneath the leaves. Infested plants yellow and may distort, and sticky honey dew, often followed by black sooty mould are common symptoms.
The Solution : Encarsia formosa :A tiny parasitic wasp which parasitises the young (scale) stage of the whitefly.
For use only against glasshouse whitefly, and only in greenhouses, conservatories or on house plants, not outside.
The adult wasp parasitises the 2-3 week old whitefly scales, turning them black. A young beneficial wasp will then hatch out of the blackened scale and zoom around looking for more whitefly scales that it will then parasitise.
For heavier or persistent infestations of whitefly it is best to introduce Encarsia regularly at 14 day intervals to achieve the best control. This is a common problem in a busy greenhouse where plants are being moved to and from the greenhouse and new plants are being brought in i.e. you may be taking the bio control out and bringing whitefly in. In commercial greenhouses they combat this problem by introducing whitefly regularly through the season – you too can now have regular introductions
Start introducing AS SOON as you see whitefly and the daytime temp is at least 10°C/50°F. Our Encarsia Programmes consist of two introductions of 500 Encarsia in 5 NEW Blister Packs sent at 14 day intervals:-
- This programme contains 500 Encarsia in 5 NEW Blister Packs per delivery.
- The 1st 500 Encarsia are sent ASAP.
- We will send the second batch of 500 Encarsia approx. 14 days later.
Control whitefly in your greenhouse / conservatory by introducing Encarsia Formosa AS SOON as the first whitefly appear and the temperatures are above 10°C / 50°F. Encarsia is a natural parasite of whitefly – it is a tiny insect with clear wings that seeks out whitefly scale and deposits an egg inside it. As the beneficial Encarsia develops INSIDE the whitefly scale, the whitefly is destroyed and turns black, before a new Encarsia emerges ready to repeat the cycle. Each Encarsia is capable of laying 300 eggs inside 300 whitefly scales in 30 days. It is safe for you, children, pets and wildlife.
Food crops such as tomatoes can be harvested continually, where Encarsia is used. The Encarsia is supplied in 5 x NEW easy to use Blister Packs containing 500 Encarsia, which you then hang on the infested plants and are sent by 1st class post. Simply separate the blister packs and hang them up before opening the flap on the back to allow the Encarsia to emerge
We offer 2 pack sizes, this is the larger one for larger greenhouses and heavier infestations, mostly people use the smaller one
**General Notes for Biocontrols such as Encarsia**
These controls are totally safe for use near wildlife, pets, humans and other animals. They provide a brilliant way to sort out common pests without having to resort to using chemicals!
They are inclined to stay where their food source or breeding location is, so no need to worry about them all flying or running away!
These great biocontrols all have a built-in ‘seek and find mechanism so will actively search out the pests you have introduced them to control.
If you have been using chemical pesticides in your greenhouse/conservatory/frame/house, you may need to allow time for toxic pesticide residues to wear off before you introduce these great gardeners’ allies !
NB :
*Soap-based or fatty acid based sprays will kill beneficial insects if sprayed on to them BUT once they have dried on the leaf surface they become harmless.
* Pyrethrum based insecticides will kill the beneficial insects if applied on to them AND last for about 3 days on the treated surfaces.
**Insecticides containing imidacloprid, thiacloprid (and other neonicotinoid treatments) are extremely persistent and damaging to a very wide range of creatures . They can kill beneficial insects if directly on to them or if the beneficial insect feeds on a pest which has fed on a treated plant!
