To whom it may concern at Orcon:
Down here in South-East Florida, we had a progressively growing infestation of Lubber grasshoppers in my neighborhood. My garden was probably the center of it all because of the extensive beds of Amaryllis – a favorite of theirs, along with certain orchids. But, those Lubbers didn’t stop with these favorites; throughout the summer and into the fall, they would eat almost everything else that I prized – a veritable plague.
The hatchlings (are they nymphs?) look like black crickets with orange streaks on their backs. Masses of these bugs emerge here between mid February through March, depending on the winter weather.
A neighbor had tried poisonous sprays that were only partially effective in their emergent stage. Nothing phased the adults. I considered the potential negative effects of such treatments to outweigh their use, in any case.
Then, a friend suggested that I use beneficial nematodes that are distributed by Orcon products. What a find! After the first year of application, there was a marked decrease in number the following spring and still fewer the next year. And now this spring, we’re well past the hatching time and there’s not a single chewed leaf apparent in my garden or in those of my neighbors – and the Amaryllis are resplendent.
I’m still watchful for the bugs but every day without a chewed leaf makes me more hopeful that the Lubbers are ALL gone and that hungry beneficial nematodes continue to be at work. I will renew the application next winter - just to be sure.
Oh yes – one more thing – A neighbor serveral doors down has applied beneficial nematodes as well and they seem to be cleaning up the neighborhood. “Man’s best friend” seems to be benefiting as well. Those dogs who stay close to home in our neighborhood don’t seem troubled by fleas since I started applying beneficial nematodes in my garden.
Thank you Orcon
David Cohen
Deerfield Beach, Florida
Hello,
I am a new organic gardener and willing to try new items. I just found out about ladybugs from my local college but I didn't think they would work. But I bought some at my local OSH, and followed the directions releasing them at night. And the next morning, I didn't see any more of the aphids. Of course there were just a few ladybugs left, but I'm happy because I didn't have to use any chemicals. Thanks! They really did work.
J. Smith
Livermore, California
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