Topic: Aphids and biological control

[Viks]

Our greenhous is overrun by the little blighters :( and we are trying to become organic, so I have splashed out and treated myself for my birthday to some
aphidius - parasitic wasps and Aphidletes aphidmyza - a predetary midge.

Its too arly to say whether it is working or not, but was I was wondering is whether there was anything I could do to keep some for next year? Will they say in the soil over winter? or is this an annual expense of being organic??

Vikki

[tim]

1. It's annual. And don't let them escape from the 'house!
2. May take 2-3 weeks to show results.
3. Effectiveness depends upon temperature being 60F - or certainly no lower than 50F at night. And we are having the latter still!
4. Given that you are overrun, did you order enough to cope?
5. How many plants do you have?
6. Could you really not just squidge them as we do.
7. We use parasites, but there is evidence that they do not work. So don't feel hurt if you fail.