This is how you fight aphids and Co. naturally

the essentials in brief

• Lacewing larvae prefer to feed on aphids
• Lacewing larvae can be used for pest control both in the garden and in the house
• A near-natural garden with many flowering plants attracts lacewings; Catnip especially like them

Use lacewing larvae against aphids

Aphids are one of the biggest annoyances of every gardener, because they develop in the asexual way of reproduction A gigantic plague in the twinkling of an eye: Colonies of thousands of animals suck up the sap from roses and other garden plants and set the plants in this way considerably too.

Prevention is the magic word here so that such problematic populations cannot develop in the first place. A near-natural garden creates the best conditions for aphid-eating beneficial insects to settle there. The larvae of the

The netwings - contrary to what their name suggests, lacewings do not belong to the group of flies - lay their eggs attached to long stems directly on the leaves of the garden plants from May onwards. As a rule, the females look for a place in the immediate vicinity of an aphid colony so that the larvae do not starve. The elongated, brownish colored larvae have six legs and are quite nimble. However, they do not eat the aphids completely, but grab them with their pincer-shaped jaws and suck them out. Only the empty quinine shells remain.

Lacewing larvae feed on aphids

use

If you have an aphid problem in the garden or greenhouse, you can buy the aphid lions from specialist retailers to control them and apply them directly to the infested plants. The larvae are available in two variants:

• Scattered goods: These are the eggs of the lacewing resp. around the tiny larvae in the first larval stage. Gently turn the can (do not shake!) So that the contents mix well. Now sprinkle the eggs and larvae directly onto the plant leaves. Leave the container at the base of the plant for a few more days so that stragglers can still set off
• Cardboard honeycomb: Larvae of the second larval stage are packed in cardboard honeycombs, with each larva having a separate honeycomb. This is necessary so that the cannibalized animals do not eat each other.

Use cardboard honeycombs as follows:

1. Open the packaging and take out the cardboard honeycomb.
2. Hold the honeycomb horizontally and carefully peel off the gauze taped over the opening.
3. Have a slightly damp paper towel ready.
4. Carefully tap the larvae in the combs on the kitchen paper.
5. Now place the cloth on the infected plant or hang it in.
6. Now the larvae can overflow and start looking for food.
7. Let the cardboard honeycomb stand under the plant for a few more days so that stragglers can still overflow.

You should also make sure that there are no ants on the plants. The aphids like to keep these as “pets” and virtually protect the pests. So that the ants do not spread and eat the lacewing larvae, you should water your plants vigorously before applying them. Be patient after application: It takes about a week to ten days for results to be seen.

The advantage of lacewing larvae compared to other beneficial insects lies not only in their great appetite, but also in their high level of activity even at temperatures from 12 ° C. If necessary, repeat the application after 14 days.

Use lacewing larvae in the apartment

Lace flies can also be used indoors for pest control

The lacewing larvae are also very suitable for use indoors, for example with house plants afflicted by aphids or other pests or in the greenhouse. The application takes place here exactly as described above, but the pupated, adult lacewings must finally be released outside. In the apartment or They could not survive in the greenhouse because they usually cannot find suitable food there or it can get too warm for them. In any case, the adult animals often find their way out into the open on their own. So here you have to buy new larvae each time they are infected and release them.

background

Lacewing larvae have a wide range of prey

Attract lacewings - this is how you bring beneficial insects into your garden

So that you do not have to constantly buy the useful lacewings, you should make it easier for them to settle in your garden. For this purpose, the garden should be cultivated as close to nature as possible and contain many flowering plants. By the way, catnip is said to have a particularly attractive effect on lace flies, as the fragrance of this pretty purple flowered plant is very similar to the sexual attractant of lace flies. Purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) and other nectar-rich flowering plants that bloom in late summer are also suitable. These include, for example:

• Nasturtiums
• Marigolds
• Tagetes
• Borage
• Zinnias
• Sedum plant
• Summer heather
• Sun bride
• Sunflower
• Astilbe
• phlox

Incidentally, the plants mentioned not only attract lacewings, but also other useful insects such as bees and Bumblebees at. Be careful, however, to only plant varieties with simple flowers, as double flower heads are worthless to insects. These look nice, but produce little or no nectar.

In winter lace flies need a suitable place to hibernate. The animals like to nest in cool rooms such as the garage or a garden shed. So-called lacewing boxes are also gladly accepted. You can buy a lacewing box from specialist retailers or you can easily build it yourself. This article explains how this works in a clear and entertaining way:

The red color is not due to the prettier appearance, but because red is very attractive on lacewings. By painting, you increase the chance that the beneficial insects will settle in this box. By the way: Contrary to what is claimed in the video, the insects do not use the box for nesting (after all, they lay their eggs directly on the plants). Instead, they spend the winter in it and then take off on the spot the following year. So aphids and Co. have no chance right from the start!

Steer clear of pesticides

If you want to successfully control the pests with lacewings and other beneficial insects, you absolutely have to refrain from using any pesticides. Insecticides and fungicides not only kill unwanted pests, but also put an end to beneficial organisms. The same applies to oily products, for example based on neem or rapeseed oil. Both are popular in organic horticulture, but often have the same effect on beneficial insects as they do on pests. Before you plan to use beneficial insect larvae, do not use them for at least six weeks such means, because otherwise you will kill the animals and then of course they will no longer do their job can.

Digression

Which beneficial insects can still be used against aphids?

frequently asked Questions

Do lacewing larvae also bite humans?

In fact, lacewing larvae can bite hard with their pincers, which is why it is better not to pick up the creatures or touch them in any other way. Your bite can be very painful and also shows symptoms similar to those after a mosquito or wasp sting: The bite area reddens, may swell and itch. However, such a bite is not dangerous.

Can I still use lacewing larvae in autumn?

In principle, lacewing larvae can still be released in autumn due to their short life cycle, provided the temperatures are constantly above 12 ° C (even at night!). If it is too cool, the animals shut down their metabolism and no longer eat as much. It would therefore make more sense to make the garden or greenhouse winter-proof and to dispose of the plant parts infested with aphids in the household waste. That way you keep the plague at bay for the following year. In the warm room, on the other hand, you can use the animals at any time, but the adult animals will then die. You do not overwinter in warm rooms and outside it is often too cold from October onwards.

How long do lacewing larvae live?

Lacewings have a very short life: The larval period takes place in three phases (the animals only start eating aphids and other pests from the second phase!) And lasts for about 18 days. The animals then pupate and live for another two to three weeks. Two to three generations of lacewings are raised per season.