Professional insect control for nurseries and greenhouses

Tips & Resources

Pest Management for Bedding & Garden Plants

Spring brings the season for bedding and garden plants along with a buildup of insects. Geraniums, impatiens, pansies, begonias and petunias are attractive to insects because of the sheltered growth conditions in greenhouses. Reproducing more rapidly in warm weather, insects can damage plants and transmit disease. To maintain healthy and attractive plants and greenhouses, the potential for insect problems needs to be identified and controlled.

Identification of insects common to bedding and garden plants is essential. Treatments are much more effective when targeted at the proper insect. Knowledge of insect patterns can help prevent a potential problem and early detection allows infestations to be controlled much easier.

Practices can be implemented to monitor and control greenhouse insects after identification.

  • Eliminate weeds inside and outside of the greenhouse. They are a source for insects and disease.
  • Install screens on doors and vents, making it more difficult for insects to enter.
  • Inspect clothing, cuttings and soil so insects are not carried into the greenhouse.
  • Monitor plants on a daily basis to catch infestation and damage early.
  • Recognize various insects and the stages of development.
  • Keep detailed records including the type of pest, its location and the insecticides used.

With insects’ attraction to greenhouses, the use of insecticides is often necessary to control an infestation. Mavrik Aquaflow® and Enstar® II can be used alone or together for control against greenhouse insects.

Labeled for both indoor and outdoor use, the quick-killing action of Mavrik Aquaflow® provides broad spectrum insect control. The product is nonphytotoxic and a water-based formulation for use on all greenhouse crops, even open blooms. Effective against adult insects, Mavrik Aquaflow® interferes with the target insect’s central nervous system on contact and through ingestion.

Enstar® II, an insect growth regulator (IGR), works by preventing immature stages of insects from becoming breeding adults. By inhibiting adult emergence, reproduction is halted and the infestation cannot continue. With continued use Enstar® II can prevent the build up of future infestations by invading insects.

Enstar® II provides dependable control of a wide variety of pests, by targeting insects at all stages of growth. Unlike adulticides, there is no need to rotate Enstar® II out of a control program because of insect resistance buildup concerns. And it will not harm beneficial parasites or predators.

Together Mavrik Aquaflow® and Enstar® II provide excellent control, flexibility, and effective resistance management with two modes of action. The combination is unbeatable. The cost-effective combination controls aphids, mealybugs, mites, and thrips among other insects.

For more information on controlling insects in your greenhouse with Mavrik Aquaflow® and Enstar® II, contact a distributor or call
1-800-248-7763.