Thrips parvispinus: A New Thrips Threat A new thrips species is making its way into greenhouses and indoor growing operations—and it’s one worth watching. Thrips parvispinus, also known as tobacco or pepper thrips, is an invasive pest that feeds on more than 100 plant species, including ornamentals, vegetables, cannabis, and many tropical houseplants. Unlike many […]
Read MorePraying mantises are fascinating garden companions and excellent natural pest predators. If you have an egg case (ootheca), attach it to a branch or shrub in a warm, sheltered spot with partial shade this spring. See our newsletter for all the tips!
Read MoreAs spring approaches, it’s the perfect time to start thinking about proactive orchard pest management. In this edition, we’re focusing on practical, environmentally friendly control strategies—specifically the use of beneficial nematodes and effective trapping methods. These tools offer a targeted way to manage pest populations early in the season, helping to reduce damage before it […]
Read MoreAmblyseius andersoni is a teeny-tiny predatory mite with a big appetite for troublemakers. Widely employed in horticulture and agriculture, this microscopic bouncer works as a biological control agent, kicking out a whole lineup of pests—especially other mites and baby thrips larvae.
Read MoreMeet Amblydromalus limonicus: New Biological Control for 2026 The Cool-Weather Thrips Hunter That Doesn’t Quit When greenhouse temperatures dip, many biological controls slow down. Amblydromalus limonicus does the opposite. This tiny predatory mite keeps working when conditions are cool—making it a standout choice for early-season, winter, and mixed-pest greenhouse crops.
Read MoreIf your lawn could talk, it would probably beg you to fight grubs before they turn your turf into a buffet next spring. And guess what? Fall is your best shot—especially if you’re going the natural route with beneficial nematodes. Yes, nematodes. They may sound like something from a sci-fi movie, but these microscopic heroes […]
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Mealybugs are a common pest infestation in conservatories, posing a significant threat to the health and aesthetics of plants. Chemical control methods have been traditionally used to combat this menace, but the adverse effects on the environment and the public in these spaces have made beneficial sustainable alternatives essential. This article reviews the prevalence and […]
Read More The primary goal of this working group is to disseminate essential information and effective strategies for the management of pests commonly encountered in interiorscapes and conservatories. These distinctive environments often host unique pest species and are frequently located in public spaces where the application of pesticides is prohibited. The information shared within this group will […]
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Beneficial Nematodes for the Commercial Grower Entomopathogenic nematodes are microscopic, naturally occurring worms that can be used for effective and environmentally friendly pest control. These nematodes are beneficial to plants and gardens because they hunt down and kill insect pests that can harm crops. When introduced to the soil, entomopathogenic nematodes actively seek out insects […]
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I hear from clients daily, “these pesticides are just not working like they used too”. It is true, pesticides are not working as well any more. Even when the pesticides were working well, not all the pests were killed even with good coverage and there were dead bugs on the leaves. The surviving pests continued […]
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NIC’s fly parasites are unique because they are suited to our northern environment and the control of flies on farms or wherever flies are an issue. Flies have developed a resistance to traditional fly controls such as pesticides. There is no known resistance to the use of fly parasites. Fly parasites are safe, non-toxic, effective […]
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It doesn’t matter if it is smoked, vaped or used in an edible form, every effort should be made to grow the crop without the use of chemical insecticides, fungicides or herbicides. When plants are grown in protected environments, they can be grown all year round, at a faster rate and with less physical damage. […]
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1. LADYBUGS ARE NAMED AFTER THE VIRGIN MARY. There are both male and female ladybugs, so why do we call them “ladies”? According to Oxford Dictionaries, they’re named after one particular lady: the Virgin Mary. One of the most common European ladybugs is the seven-spot ladybug, and its seven marks reminded people of the Virgin […]
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To start with … what are nematodes? Nematodes are very tiny, microscopic ‘worms’ that mostly live in the soil. Beneficial nematodes can range from 1/25 inch to several inches long and have slender, translucent, unsegmented bodies. Many are soil dwellers that break down organic matter, especially in compost piles. You can easily spot these 1/4-inch-long […]
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Planting more hemp could help to maintain and ultimately increase the dwindling bee population according to a study by researchers at Cornell University published earlier this year in Environmental Entomology. These findings reinforce a study from Colorado State University published last year in Elsevier’s Biomass and Bioenergy. The study showed that bees are highly attracted […]
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