Keeping accurate records is imperative when monitoring insect pest trends in the greenhouse. One of the ways we do this is by using yellow and/or blue rectangular sticky cards. The cards not only provide a visual monitor for us, but they effectively trap the flying insects, killing them.
Each card is notched in the upper corner to help identify where it was placed in the greenhouse. We record the bug counts weekly, but visually inspect daily to keep ahead of spiking population trends. Having multiple cards in each greenhouse helps us narrow down the cause of a pest population spike. Is the infestation just on one variety of plant? Is it just species wide, or has it spread house wide? The answer to these questions helps us formulate what actions need to be taken. We also keep track of seasonal and yearly totals, along with what preventative measures we tried – what worked best and what didn’t work at all.
We try to be proactive instead of reactive in the treatment of our plants. Preventative measures such as releasing predatory mites, beetles and wasps before an outbreak occurs, help us provide safe, effective pest control without compromising our commitment to providing a healthy, pest free product.
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