Dovebugs are a safe way to control the common glasshouse and conservatory pests. Commercial growers have successfully used the biological method of control for many years and Dove Associates has been advising growers on their application and integration with traditional pest control methods.  What has become standard practice in commercial growing is now available to the home gardener.  Visit your local garden centre who will fax through to us your name and address.  Orders received by 12pm noon on Friday are despatched the following week and will be with you before the weekend.

Dovebugs are living organisms and therefore need to be introduced into an environment suitable for their survival.  Apart from Steinernema and Nemaslug^(R) we do not recommend that Dovebugs be used outside; only in greenhouses or conservatories.  Each pack contains sufficient material to treat a greenhouse or conservatory of 100ft² (10mt²).  IF YOU HAVE USED ANY PESTICIDES IN YOUR GLASSHOUSE/CONSERVATORY, OTHER THAN INSECTICIDAL SOAP, PRIOR TO INTRODUCTION, WE RECOMMEND THAT YOU WAIT FOUR WEEKS TO AVOID ANY PROBLEMS.  If you have applied a pesticide, telephone our Helpline (01379 741999) for advice on the delay period necessary.  The minimum day temperature is important and in some cases the length of day will affect the life cycle of the predator, therefore to avoid disappointment we recommend Dovebugs are used only during the warmer months of the year.

Dovebugs Aphid predators  -  for more information click here
Dovebugs aphid predators are available in a twin pack, which will control a wide range of aphid species.  Aphidoletes will feed on most aphid species.  The aphid twin pack contains two predators, Aphidoletes & Aphidius, which will not only feed on the aphids but parasitise them too.  When the first signs of aphids appear you should introduce the predator.  For the predators to be successful a minimum day temperature of 12°C (55°F) is needed and they should only be applied through the months of May to September.  The glasshouse/conservatory may need further top up packs to maintain a supply of predators.

Dovebugs Whitefly predators  -  for more information click here
Dovebugs whitefly predators are available either as a single application or a 2 week course.  The 2 week course is recommended as this will control several generations as they emerge.  The whitefly control pack contains Encarsia formosa, which should be introduced at the first signs of whitefly.  For the predators to be successful a minimum day temperature of 12°C (55°F) is needed and they should only be applied through the months April to September.  The glasshouse/conservatory may need further top up packs to maintain a supply of predators at two weekly intervals whilst the pest remains active.

Dovebugs Vine weevil larvae predators  -  for more information click here
Dovebugs vine weevil larvae predators, Steinernema kraussei or Heterorhabditis megidis, are the most popular products in our range.  Each pack is sufficient to treat up to 500 150mm (6") pots, or 10 patio tubs or grow-bags in a greenhouse or conservatory of 100ft² (10m²).  Larger packs are also available to treat areas between 500m² and 1,000m².  At the first sign of vine weevil larvae in the compost you should apply the predators to the compost.  For the predators to be successful in your glasshouse a minimum compost temperature of 14°C (57°F) and maximum compost temperature of 25°C (77°F) is needed.

Dovebugs Sciarid fly larva predators  -  for more information click here
Dovebugs sciarid fly larvae predators include Steinernema feltiae, Hypoaspis miles or Hypoaspis aculeifer.  With the various pack sizes, Each pack is sufficient to treat up to 500 150mm (6") pots, or 10 patio tubs or grow-bags in a greenhouse or conservatory of 100ft² (10m²).  Larger packs are also available to treat areas up to 1,000m².  At the first sign of vine weevil larvae in the compost you should apply the predators to the compost.  For the predators to be successful in your glasshouse a minimum compost temperature of 14°C (57°F) and maximum compost temperature of 25°C (77°F) is needed.

Dovebugs Chafer grub predators  -  for more information click here
Dovebugs Chafer grub predators, Heterorhabditis megidis, are one of the most popular products in our range.  Each pack is sufficient to treat up to 500 150mm (6") pots, or 10 patio tubs or grow-bags in a greenhouse or conservatory of 100ft² (10m²).  Larger packs are also available to treat areas between 500m² and 1,000m².  At the first sign of vine weevil larvae in the compost you should apply the predators to the compost.  For the predators to be successful in your glasshouse a minimum compost temperature of 14°C (57°F) and maximum compost temperature of 25°C (77°F) is needed

Dovebugs Leaf miner predators
Dovebugs Leaf miner predator packs contain two predators to give a better control of a wide range of indoor leaf miners.  Each pack contains 250 Diglyphus and Dacnusa adults and is sufficient product for a 10mt² greenhouse.  Temperatures should be higher than 15°C when releasing them into the greenhouse.

Dovebugs Red spider mite predators  -  for more information click here
Dovebug red spider mite predators are available as a single application.  The mite control pack contains Phytoseiulus persimilis and when the first signs of mites appear you should introduce the predator.  For the predators to be successful a minimum day temperature of 12°C (55°F) and maximum day temperature of 30°C (86°F) is needed and they should only be applied through the months April to September.  The glasshouse/conservatory may need further top up packs to maintain a supply of predators at two weekly intervals while the pest remains active.

Dovebugs Mealy bug predators  -  for more information click here
Dovebugs Mealy bug predators is an adult brown beetle similar to a ladybird, Cryptolaemus montrouzieri.  Both adults and larva feed on mealybugs consuming around 250 in their lifetime.  Temperatures must be between 16°C and 33°C. It is only suitable for indoor use.

Dovebugs Scale insect predators
Dovebugs scale insect predator packs contain Metaphycus helvolus, which is a small yellow wasp which parasitises soft scale.  One pack contains 25 adults, which is adequate for a 10mt² greenhouse.  A minimum temperature of 22°C is needed for the predator to be active.  Reintroduction after 4 weeks may be necessary.

Dovebugs Thrip predators
Western flower thrip is increasing in numbers and their control for the gardener has been difficult until a small predatory mite called Amblyseius cucumeris was made available.   Each retail pack contains 10,000 mites in an easy to distribute pack.  The mite is sensitive to both temperature and day length so temperatures over 20°C and a day length of more than 13½ hours is needed.  It is only suitable for greenhouse or conservatory use.

Dovebugs Nemaslug^(R)  -  for more information click here
After a difficult period we are now able to supply Nemaslug^(R).  This is a nematode Phasmarhabditis sp., which is mixed with water and spread over the soil or compost where the damage from slugs is occurring.  The product remains active for 6 weeks after which a further application is needed.  Each pack is sufficient to treat an area 6mts by 6mts.  It can be used outside, but the temperature must be above 6°C and below 20°C.