Encarsia for Whitefly in Blister Packs

Full Description

Adult whitefly are small, white, waxy-winged insects congregate at the top of the plant, but fly off if disturbed. Both the adults and larval stages of the whitefly suck sap from the leaves resulting in stunted growth and damaged leaves. The sap contains excess sugar which is excreted by the whitefly and coats the lower leaves. Mould then develops, which is unsightly and produces poor growth. Whitefly are capable of laying up to 200 eggs in groups on the underside of the leaves, so numbers can build up quickly. Once these eggs hatch, the tiny larvae emerge to search out suitable feeding sites and lose the ability to move. This immobile “scale” stage is pale green, about 2mm long and lives under the lower leaves only. The life cycle consists of adult laying eggs, to larvae, to scale and finally to adult, this whole process can be completed in as little as 3 weeks in the summer. To control whitefly :-

• Introduce Encarsia as soon as the daytime temperature averages 10°C / 50°F and the whitefly are 1st spotted.
• Hang yellow Glue Traps alongside plants to monitor / control whitefly alongside Encarsia.
• If the temperature is below 16C/50F, use WhiteFly Spray /  SB Invigorator Natural Spray to hold the fort until temperatures rise and then introduce Encarsia.
• If the infestation is very heavy then spray with WhiteFly Spray / SB Invigorator first to reduce numbers before introducing Encarsia – see our Whitefly Emergency Pest Pack.

N.B. Whitefly should not be confused with aphids, which shed their skin leaving them on the leaves. To tell the difference shake the plant, whitefly will fly off whereas aphid skins will remain stuck. If it is aphids, use an Aphid Control instead.

Control whitefly in your greenhouse / conservatory by introducing Encarsia Formosa AS SOON as the first whitefly appear and the temperatures are above 10°C / 50°F. Encarsia is a natural parasite of whitefly – it is a tiny insect with clear wings that seeks out whitefly scale and deposits an egg inside it. As the beneficial Encarsia develops INSIDE the whitefly scale, the whitefly is destroyed and turns black, before a new Encarsia emerges ready to repeat the cycle. Each Encarsia is capable of laying 300 eggs inside 300 whitefly scales in 30 days. It is safe for you, children, pets and wildlife. Food crops such as tomatoes can be harvested continually, where Encarsia is used. The Encarsia is supplied in 5 x NEW easy to use Blister Packs containing 500 Encarsia, which are hung on the affected plants and is sent by 1st class post. Simply separate the blister packs and hang them up before opening the flap on the back to allow the Encarsia to emerge – the easiest gardening you will ever do! For heavier infestations / larger greenhouses use MORE Encarsia introduced at 14 days intervals – this allows the Encarsia numbers to build up naturally resulting in better control. How much Encarsia is needed :-

• For a small greenhouse where the whitefly have just appeared – use 1 introduction of 500 x Encarsia in 5 x Blister Packs.
• For larger greenhouses or where the whitefly have had time to get established – use 2 or more introductions (5 x Blister Packs per introduction) at 14 day intervals – see Encarsia Programmes.
• For large greenhouses where plants are being moved in and out or where you have had a persistent whitefly problem in the past and you want to introduce Encarsia to keep whitefly at bay during the growing season – use a longer programme of introductions @ 14 day intervals or increase the quantity and get more blister packs per delivery – see Encarsia Programmes.
• If the infestation is very heavy, spray with SB Invigorator 1st and then introduce Encarsia – see our Emergency Pest Pack (SB Invigorator followed by 2 introductions of Encarsia).

N.B. If you have recently used a chemical spray i.e. within the last 2-3 weeks, please email us to check how soon Encarsia can be introduced?.