Insect Control

NOTE:  For the insecticides listed below, one product trade name and formulation is provided for each active ingredient (common name) as an example of rates, days to harvest (dh), REI, and special instructions. In many cases there are other products available with the same active ingredient. Please see Table 20 and Alphabetical Listing by Trade Name for more information on products with the same active ingredients.

Note: For best results with aerosols, apply when air temperature in the greenhouse is 70°F to 80°F. Keep vents closed and fans off during treatment. Ventilate greenhouse before entering DO NOT perform this operation alone.

Aphids, Twospotted Spider Mite, Thrips, Fungus Gnats

There are aphid and thrips parasites and predators, and predators of spider mites that have proven to be effective in greenhouses. For more information see references #6, 8 and #9 in References for References for Commercial Vegetable Growers.

azadirachtin (Neemix 4.5): 1/4 to 1/2 tsp/gal, use 1 to 2 gal finished solution/1,000 sq ft, 8 oz/A (0 dh, REI 12h, Group 18). Suppression and adult aphid feeding deterrent. For aphids and thrips only. OMRI listed.

Bacillius thuringiensis israelensis (Gnatrol): 1 to 8 tsp/gal, or 16 to 128 oz/100 gal (REI 4h, Group 11). Apply as soil drench to flats to control larvae. Fungus gnat larvae only.

Beauveria bassiana (Mycotrol O): 16 to 32 oz/100 gal water for aphids; 32 oz/100 gal water for thrips (0 dh, REI 4h, Group 22). Treat when populations are low and thoroughly cover foliage. Takes 7 to 10 days after the first spray to see control. Repeat applications may be needed. OMRI listed.

bifenazate (Floramite SC): 1/4 to 1/2 tsp/gal or 4 to 8 oz/100 gal water (apply 1 to 4 qt mix/100 sq ft or 100 to 400 gal/A) (3 dh, REI 12h, Group 25). Mites on greenhouse tomatoes only. Only for tomatoes greater than 1" diameter at maturity. Apply when mites first appear.

chlorfenaspyr (Pylon Miticide): 6.5 to 13 oz/A for mites and 9.8 to 13 oz/A for thrips (0 dh, REI 12h, Group 13). Mites and thrips only.

endosulfan (Thionex* 50W ): 1 to 2 lb/A (2 dh, REI 24h, Group 2A). For aphids only. Highly toxic.

imidacloprid (Admire Pro): 0.6 oz/1,000 plants (0 dh, REI 12h, Group 4). Aphids only. Use on mature plants only. Do not apply to plants grown in non-soil medias. Toxic/repellent to bumble bee pollinators and some beneficials.

insecticidal soap (M-Pede): 2.5 oz/gal water (0 dh, REI 12h). Spray to wet all infested plant surfaces. Does not control fungus gnats. Repeat application every 2 to 3 days until pest is under control. Apply with companion aphicide. OMRI listed. Not for fungus gnats.

pyrethrin (PyGanic EC5.0): 1.5 to 3 tsp/gal, or 16 to 32 oz/100 gal (0 dh, REI 12h, Group 3A). Not for mites. OMRI listed. May be used in greenhouse or field.

pyrethrins + piperonyl butoxide (Pyrenone): 1 to 2 tsp/gal or 12 to 24 oz/100 gal (0 dh, REI 12h, Group 3A). Not for mites. May be used in greenhouse or field.

pyriproxyfen (Distance IGR): 2 oz/100 gal as a surface drench to top 1 inch of soil media, 3 to 6 oz/100 gal as a heavy coarse spray to soil surface for fungus gnats and shore flies; 6 oz/100 gal for suppression of aphids (1 dh, REI 12h, Group 7D). Not for grape tomatoes. Do not make more than two applications per season. 

Hornworms, Fruitworms, Loopers

Hornworms are large green caterpillars with white stripes along the sides that may grow up to 4” long. Look for the large fecal droppings on the plastic under the plants, defoliation or surface feeding scars on green fruit. Caterpillar infestations usually begin in July and may extend through September. Spot–treat areas of the greenhouse with infestations. Use selective insecticides to preserve natural enemies and avoid secondary pest outbreaks (i.e. aphids). See cabbage looper, tomato fruitworm, tomato hornworm in Tomato (Outdoor) section for more information on this pest.

azadirachtin (Neemix 4.5): 1/4 to 1/2 tsp/gal, use 1 to 2 gal/1,000 sq ft, 8 oz/A (0 dh, REI 12h, Group 18). For young larvae. OMRI listed.

Bacillus thuringiensis aizawai (XenTari): 0.5 to 1.5 lb/A (0 dh, REI 4h, Group 11). Must be ingested; apply when larvae are actively feeding. OMRI listed.

Bacillus thuringiensis kurstaki (Dipel DF): 0.5 to 1 lb/A (0 dh, REI 4h, Group 11). Must be ingested; apply when larvae are actively feeding. OMRI listed.

chlorfenaspyr (Pylon Miticide): 6.5 to 13 oz/A (0 dh, REI 12h, Group 13).

endosulfan (Thionex* 50W): 1 to 2 lb/A for tomato hornworm, 1.5 to 2 lb/A for CL, 2 lb/A for TFW (2 dh, REI 24h, Group 2A). Highly toxic.

pyrethrin (PyGanic EC5.0): 1.5 to 3 tsp/gal, or 16 to 32 oz/100 gal (0 dh, REI 12h, Group 3A). For loopers and hornworms only. OMRI listed.

pyrethrins + piperonyl butoxide (Pyrenone): 1 to 2 tsp/gal, or 12 to 24 oz/100 gal (0 dh, REI 12h, Group 3A). For loopers and hornworms only.

Slugs

iron phosphate (Sluggo: Snail and Slug Bait): 1/2 tsp/9” pot (0 dh, REI 0h, Group 9B). Scatter in and around plant pots.

Variegated Cutworm

Variegated cutworms will feed on leaves, but will also chew shallow or deep holes in the fruit during mid- to late summer. Caterpillars are brownish-grey, with diamond-shaped marks along the back and light lines along the sides. They are up to 2” long. Scout fruit for damage during harvest. Spray tomatoes if 1% of the plants are infested with variegated cutworms. For best results, make application after dark. Thorough coverage of the foliage is needed for good control. Neem (azadirachtin) interrupts larval development and acts as a feeding deterrent. See Tomato (Outdoor) section for more information on variegated cutworm.

azadirachtin (Neemix 4.5): 1/4 to 1/2 tsp/gal, use 1 to 2 gal/1,000 sq ft, 8 oz/A (0 dh, REI 12h, Group 18). For larvae only. OMRI listed.

Whiteflies

The parasite Encarsia formosa has been successfully used to control whiteflies on greenhouse tomInsect Managementato when properly managed. Use yellow sticky cards to monitor for whiteflies. Make releases every 10-14 days.

azadirachtin (Neemix 4.5): 1/4 to 1/2 tsp/gal, use 1 to 2 gal/1,000 sq ft, 8 oz/A (0 dh, REI 12h, Group 18). For larvae only. OMRI listed.

Beauveria bassiana (Botanigard 22WP): 1/2 to 1 lb/100 gal water (REI 4h, Group 22). Do not use ES formulation on tomatoes. Complete coverage of leaf surface required.

buprofezin (Talus 40SC): 9 to 13.6 oz/A (7 dh, REI 12h, Group 16). No more than 2 applications at least 28 days apart.

endosulfan (Thionex* 50W): 1 lb/100 gal, 100 to 200 gal/A (2 dh, REI 24h, Group 2A). Highly toxic.

imidacloprid (Admire Pro): 0.6 oz/1,000 plants (0 dh, REI 12h, Group 4). Use on mature plants only. Do not apply to plants grown in non-soil medias. Toxic/repellent to bumble bee pollinators and some beneficials.

insecticidal soap (M-Pede): 2.5 oz/gal water (0 dh, REI 12h). Spray to wet all infested plant surfaces. Repeat application every 2 to 3 days until pest is under control. OMRI listed.

pyrethrin (PyGanic EC5.0): 1.5 to 3 tsp/gal, or 16 to 32 oz/100 gal (0 dh, REI 12h, Group 3A). OMRI listed. May be used in greenhouse or field.

pyrethrin + piperonyl butoxide (Pyrenone): 1 to 2 tsp/gal, or 12 to 24 oz/100 gal (0 dh, REI 12h, Group 3A).

pyriproxyfen (Distance IGR): 6 oz/100 gal (1 dh, REI 12h, Group 7D). Apply as a foliar spray. Not for grape tomatoes. Do not make more than two applications per season.