Reply To: ladybugs and pesticides

[E. Vinje]

Hi Susan –

Long term natural pest control is the most cost effective approach to managing insect pests and beneficial insects are an integral part of this process. But sometimes a short-lived, botanical pesticide is necessary to knock-down large numbers of insect pests. Also, if pest populations are high, use the least-toxic, short-lived natural pesticide — Insecticidal Soaps, Horticultural Oils, Botanical Insecticides — to establish control before releasing ladybugs to maintain control.

The organic pesticides that we offer leave no residues and breakdown quickly in the environment but many can harm beneficial insects. As a result, they should only be used after other least-toxic options have been tried. Also, rather than blanket spraying the area with a natural insecticide consider spot-treating areas with high numbers of pests to minimize damage to the “good guys.”

Hope this helps!