Greenhouse Pest Control Tips

Gardening Tips
Greenhouse Pest Control

Many people have greenhouses, and while those bring a lot of joy, pests can spoil the fun. If you intent to have a greenhouse, it is important to know of the most effective ways to deter potential pests and to get rid of those that manage to past your protection. It is important for all gardeners to know pest control tips and tricks, because it is important to act quickly as soon as you notice a problem.

Greenhouse Pest Control Tips and Tricks

Before you opt for specific means of controlling pests, it is important to check your greenhouse and make sure everything is set up properly. A good greenhouse, as an enclosure, will prevent some pests from appearing, but this is not true if the structure is not built properly and if there are holes where pests can easily get access to your plants.

Another thing to keep in mind is that some of the most effective animals that kill pests in nature, such as birds, cannot enter the greenhouse. It means that any pest infestation can spread in no time. If you notice any pests, it is important to act quickly.

Make sure you are familiar with the most common greenhouse pests. These typically include insects, above all, aphids, fungus gnats, caterpillars, mealy bugs, mites, and whiteflies. Some other pests that regularly attack greenhouse are snails and slugs.

You should always make sure that any new plant you introduce to the greenhouse is free from pests.

In order to minimize the chance of pest infestation, make sure to keep your greenhouse clean and neat, as well as your tools. A space that is neat is easier to manage, and you can also notice any potential pest problem quickly.

Make sure to observe your plants regularly. As soon as you notice one plant not looking healthy or if it just looks different, make sure to identify the reason. If there are pests, it is important to act as fast as possible before the problem spreads.

The Best Greenhouse Pest Control Tips

There are many commercial products, such as pesticides and fertilizers, that you can use to get rid of pests in your greenhouse. However, many of the easy greenhouse pest control tips and tricks are also organic-friendly. This is great news for those who practice organic gardening. These tips and tricks will get rid of pests from a greenhouse without using any chemicals or harmful commercial products.

Here are some of the best methods you can use in your greenhouse to get rid of pests:

Commercial Pesticides and Fertilizers

There are many powerful pesticides that can help you get rid of pests in your greenhouse. Some of these products can also help you prevent pests from coming to your plants. If you choose this route, keep in mind that it is not suitable for organic gardening. However, it is a powerful option to keep your greenhouse pest-free.

Homemade Pesticides

You can also make your own homemade pesticides to use in the greenhouse. For example, wash up liquid and detergents are a good option for getting rid of greenflies and black flies. Just make sure to dilute them with water and place them in a spray bottle. Spray your plants until you get rid of the problem. If you do organic gardening, make sure to use organic washing liquid or detergent. However, these might not be as effective.

Essential Plant Oils

You can use essential oils from plants to help with pest prevention. These are often included in commercial pest repellents but are natural solutions to the problem. You should use them diluted, in a spray bottle, and then spray plants that you wish to protect. Strong essential oils such as citronellal, limonene or pulegone can be used in this way. Alternatively, you can put them on a cloth and hang the cloth on the doorway and windows. Plants that can be used in this way are lavender, lemon and eucalyptus.

You can also use neem oil, which is a popular pest repellent. It comes from the Neem tree and it is very effective in getting rid of numerous types of insects. The oil will kill the insects and can work as a deterrent, so you may also place it near doors and windows to prevent pest problems.

Companion Plants

One of the best and easiest ways to prevent and control pests in your greenhouse is to use companion plants. You should simply grow specific plants together, since some plants can successfully repel insects as well as some other pests.

To choose a good companion plant, simply figure out what you wish to grow in your greenhouse and what kind of pests you have problem with. Then, find plants that repel those specific pests. This will help protect your plants in the greenhouse. This is a great method ideal for organic gardening because it doesn't use any chemicals.

Other Insects and Predators

Using predator insects can work well in the greenhouse. These are beneficial insects that eat pests, so they can help protect your greenhouse in a very effective manner. However, if you choose this route, make sure that you don't use anything that could also harm beneficial insects. For example, neem oil can also harm predator insects and other beneficial insects that you wish to have in your greenhouse.

One of the best predator insects are ladybugs. They are carnivorous and feed on other insects while not harming plants. Other good predator insect is lacewing. Both ladybugs and lacewing can easily be introduced in the greenhouse and they will eradicate pests quickly.

Nematodes are also a great choice of predators. These are small, often microscopic roundworms that are great pesticides for greenhouses and gardens. They are commercially bred for the purpose and you can order them to help you get rid of pests in your greenhouse. They are placed into watering cans and watered into the soil to destroy insects or slugs. If you wish to use nematodes, it is important to identify the exact pest that is the problem first, because they don't work on all pests. Also, make sure to get just the right nematodes for the type of pest you have. Nematodes work well for sawfly, chafer grubs, leatherjackets, and vine weevil, as well as slugs.

Building Structures

You can also add certain structures in your greenhouse that will prevent certain pests from attacking your plants. Also, you may use sticky paper for the same purpose. The paper is also good for identifying the type of pests you have in the greenhouse.

Screens are a great way to keep insects and other pests away from the greenhouse. They are particularly effective against the flying insects. One downside to screens is that they can also reduce air flow in the greenhouse. Also, screens will prevent beneficial insects, such as pollinators, from entering.

Also, if the main pests you have are ants, you can build a moat around your greenhouse to prevent ants from entering. Ants hate water and a moat will keep them away from the greenhouse and plants in it. This is something that needs to be done carefully because a moat will make access to the greenhouse a bit more complicated, and you have to make sure it's small enough as to not create standing water that could be a breeding ground for other unwanted insects. However, if ants are you main problem, it might be worth a shot. Another good way to get rid of ants is to use peppermint and tea tree oil.

Other Options

In addition to the above and depending on the type of insects that you have in your greenhouse, you may use different methods. For example, you may use crushed eggshells around the base of your plants to prevent slugs from reaching the plants.

Following the above, Greenhouse Pest Control Tips and Tricks will greatly eradicate the presence of the insects and pests from your greenhouse and will ensure the health and growth of your plants.

Photo credit: UGA CAES/Extension

 

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