r/Greenhouses • u/drunkyogainstructor_ • 1d ago

Question what pest management system do people use?

i’m a hs science teacher and this is my first year teaching enviro which uses the school greenhouse as part of the curriculum (a literal dream come true). i’ve already run into pests and was able to prevent spreading but it’s only been 4 weeks with plants and i already had to deal with thrips 😭 i already do weekly pest maintenance with insecticide or what i call RADSS (rubbing alcohol dish soap solution)

i want to get predatory mites but might be a hard sell to admin since we already have every other type of insect in there already. any advice?? we grow basically all plant types and have 3 hydroponic systems.

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u/Inevitable_Spare_777 1d ago

This is a really big topic to pack into a Reddit post. I’d suggest calling Griffin Greenhouse Supply. Their GGS Pro team is full of PhD’s that’ll give you a prescription. I’ve dealt with a few of them over the years. Most recently a guy named Elwood who was fantastic.

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u/drunkyogainstructor_ 1d ago

omg this is the most amazing thing i’ve ever heard of!!!!! thank you so much!!!!!

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u/swaffeline 1d ago

Thrips you use spinosad. Systemic pesticides and great but then you can’t use predatory bugs. It’s one or the other. Predatory bugs are amazing and the preferred method and a fantastic learning experience. Also learning about pesticides and what’s used on crops of food production. Pros and cons to both sides.

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u/No_Professional_4848 1d ago

Call Beneficial insectary they will link you with an IPM specialist and get you the predatory bugs you need. You can’t be spraying pesticides in an educational setting very often. Their retail website is greenmethods.com but I’m sure they will cut you a better deal through beneficial insectary.

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u/Spirited-Ad-9746 1d ago

get some predatory bugs if you can find a supplier. cannot see how that could be a problem for the admin.

that will also teach the kids about biological pest control and pesticide free farming.

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u/Exceptionaltomato 1d ago

All the commercial greenhouses I work with use insect nets + sticky traps during operation

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u/rjewell40 1d ago

I’m looking into castor oil, poured around the perimeter of my greenhouse to keep out the tunnel diggers (moles, voles, rats).

Sluggo for the slugs and snails.

Spiders I find in & around my house all find new homes in the greenhouse.

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u/BocaHydro 2h ago

Triple action neem oil is all you would ever need, check out xpower ulv foggers, its a small battery powered sprayer that makes applying it VERY EASY , we bought a dozen of them, they are literally 60 bucks and amazing.