The larvae of the graceful lacewings are often recommended for natural control of aphids. In this guide we will show you how you can use the little animals to combat pests and why the beneficial insects, also known as goldeneye, eliminate them so successfully.
How can aphids be controlled by lacewings?
The lacewing larvae released in your garden immediately stalk the pests,grab the aphidswith their pincer-like mouthparts andsuck them out. All that's left is the empty chitin shell. Lacewing larvae are available from specialist retailers in special cardboard honeycombs.
Why are lacewings such a good remedy against aphids?
In contrast to other beneficial insects, lacewing larvae, also known as aphid lions, are relativelytolerant to environmental influences. They can easily be used outdoors, under glass and even in the apartment.
The contents of a cardboard honeycomb are enough for an area between ten and twenty square meters or around eight plants. If you release the nocturnal animals in the evening hours, they will begin their first meal immediately and eliminate even large aphid colonies in the shortest possible time.
What are the advantages of using lacewings against aphids?
lacewing larvaedestroyevenentire aphid colonies and ensure that the proliferating plant suckers no longer get out of hand. Fighting pests with beneficial insects offers many benefits for the environment. This means you can almost completely avoid chemical preparations against lice.
You will receive the larvae in a cardboard packaging. Apply them to the plants in question immediately after purchase. If the animals find good conditions and the ecological balance in their garden is right, they will settle permanently and curb acute aphid plagues.
Do lacewings only eat aphids?
lacewing larvaedo not only feed on aphids. There are many different pests on their menu, some of which are difficult to combat with conventional home remedies.
These include:
- Mealybugs and mealybugs (Pseudococcidae),
- Spider mites (Tetranychidae),
- Whiteflies (Aleyrodoidea),
- Thrips (Thysanoptera),
- Bugs (Heteroptera).
Tip
Offering lacewings a protected winter quarters
Lacewings mate after overwintering and immediately attack the first aphids after they hatch. In order to settle them permanently, it is recommended to provide the elf-like pest exterminators with winter quarters. You can build lacewing boxes yourself using simple means or purchase them from specialist retailers. They should always be painted red, as the delicate insects “fly” to this color.
