Resources for Optimized Insect Control

Growers can help strengthen their poinsettia crop and add dollars to their bottom line by adopting an integrated pest management (IPM) program to control insects. As the number one potted crop in the United States, poinsettias are extremely important to the economic success of growers.

Native to Central America, poinsettias flourish in an environment high in humidity and sunlight, an environment also ideal for pests. Fungus gnats and whiteflies can have a severe economic impact on poinsettias, causing stunted growth and deformities. Mealybugs and spider mites also threaten poinsettias.

Growers can protect their poinsettia investment from damage with an IPM program that includes the proper monitoring of crops to anticipate problems before they become uncontrollable.

Consider a few simple tips to increase an insecticide’s effectiveness in an IPM program and help poinsettias stay healthy.

• Place sticky traps near plants to detect infestations.
• Monitor plants regularly to identify infestations and damage early.
• Familiarize yourself with the life cycles and habits of various insects.
• Use an insecticide labeled for use against the insects causing the infestation.
• Apply insecticides early in the morning or on a cloudy day.
• Be sure to apply insecticides to the underside of leaves where some insects, including whiteflies, live.
• Rotate adulticides with different modes of action to ensure insect resistance problems will not occur.
• Keep detailed records including the type of insect, its location and the pesticides used.

Growers can control greenhouse insects attacking poinsettias with Mavrik Aquaflow^® insecticide.

The quick-killing action of Mavrik Aquaflow^® insecticide provides broad-spectrum insect control. A non-phytotoxic, water based formulation, Mavrik Aquaflow^® insecticide can be used on all greenhouse crops, even open blooms. Effective against adult insects, Mavrik Aquaflow^® insecticide interferes with the target insect’s central nervous system on contact and through ingestion.

For more information on protecting your poinsettia investment with Mavrik Aquaflow^® insecticide, contact a distributor or call 1-800-248-7763.

As the second largest segment of the floriculture industry, potted plants encounter diverse insect infestations. Warm growth conditions in greenhouses attract insects, which can damage potted plants and transmit disease. To grow healthy potted plant crops and maintain their value, insect problems should be identified and controlled throughout the growing cycle.

Insect treatments are more effective when targeting an identified insect. Infestations can be controlled much easier when a grower is familiar with insect behavior and detects a problem early. Pest management should be tailored to meet the needs of each individual greenhouse.

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.

Insecticides are often necessary to control an infestation. Mavrik Aquaflow^® insecticide can be used for control against greenhouse insects.

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

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

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^® insecticide and Enstar^® AQ product 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^® insecticide 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^® insecticide  interferes with the target insect’s central nervous system on contact and through ingestion.

Enstar^® AQ product, 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^® AQ product can prevent the build up of future infestations by invading insects.

Enstar^® AQ product 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^® AQ product out of a control program because of insect resistance buildup concerns. And it will not harm beneficial parasites or predators.

Together Mavrik Aquaflow^® insecticide and Enstar^® AQ product 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^® insecticide and Enstar^® AQ product, contact a distributor or call 1-800-248-7763.