Parasitic wasps

[ElleDubloo]

Saw a feature on parasitic wasps on last night's Gardener's World - absolutely disgusting, but amazing, and we have a major aphid problem in our garden so I'd like to get some. Any idea about where they can be purchased?

Disclaimer: I didn't see the programme,but yes you can buy parasitic wasps (just google it) but I doubt they would be much help in an outdoor situation (they have a habit of flying away!) They are usually used in glasshouses for crop protection, with screening to prevent escapees, and need to be introduced at the FIRST sign of infestation. There are a number of predatory insects available to growers, but as mentioned, they have a habit of disappearing! Many years ago, I saw some being used at Kew Gardens against mealy bugs, but no idea whether they still use them.

Oh, I see. Yes in the programme they were using it in a greenhouse. Thanks for that information.

You can buy ladybird larvae which cannot fly off and which gobble aphids.

Thanks MrsBert. Where's a good place to buy that?

I received some today from Green Gardener. Bit fiddly to get them out of the box and onto the plants but they looked lively. Hopefully my poor lupins will recover a bit now!

Parasitic wasps won't help you with aphids. Lacewing or ladybird larvae are what you need. The parasitic wasp predates on scale insects like whitefly.

Steve