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Knowledge center Crop protection & disinfection Tips for hanging up breeding sachets in the greenhouseTips for hanging up breeding sachets in the greenhouse
Written by Kevin van Kester | Last update: 18-6-2021
For the release of natural enemies, different methods can be used. One of those release methods is hanging up breeding sachets. It is important to realize what you should keep in mind when you start using breeding sachets hanging them up. This will ensure the highest effectivity of the product. In this article, our specialist will set out a number of tips.
Usage of breeding sachets
Breeding sachets contain bran, predatory mites and feeding mites. Through a hole in the breeding sachet the predatory mites can go in and out of the sachet, so no tearing required. The sachet contains food for about 4 to 6 weeks, allowing the predatory mites to develop and reproduce. This ensures a long-term outflow of the predators.
There are different kinds of breeding sachets, each of which must be placed in the crop in a different way:
- Mini: these are small breeding sachets with a hook. More sachets with fewer predatory mites ensure measuring release points, due to which you get a better distribution of the predatory mites across the crop.
- Gemini: these are water-resistant twins sachets. They can be applied in cultivations where water is administered from above. Fold the Gemini sachets at the tear bar (printed edge outwards) and hang it over a trunk, branch or thread.
- Stick: these are small breeding sachets on a stick. These are used in the multiplication and in strawberries on frameworks. Place the stick in the cultivation substrate, close to the plant.
- Bugline: this is a ribbon with growth chambers. These are used in crops that grow in beds/rows or on plant tables. Place the ribbon horizontally among the crop with the printed side upwards.
In order to guarantee the quality of the natural enemies, it is important to use the product as soon as possible after receiving it. If this is not possible, store the breeding sachets in a dark place at a temperature of 15 – 20°C. Before use, always carry out a quality check on the predatory mites.
Hanging up breeding sachets
When hanging up breeding sachets, it is important to take a number of aspects and factors into account. For example, it is essential to distribute the breeding sachets the best way you can, ensuring proper distribution of the predatory mites. When using Gemini sachets, hang these sachets up with the holes facing inside and the printed side outward. This allows the predatory mites to distribute properly.
In addition, sunlight is an important factor that you should take into account. The breeding sachets must be hanged in the crop at the shade side of the plant in order to prevent bright sunlight. Bright sunlight will lead to dehydration of the breeding sachet, because the sachet becomes too warm. The quality of the prey mites will deteriorate, because they prefer living in a moist environment. As a result, no multiplication of the predatory mites will take place, as a consequence of which the breeding sachet will quickly depopulate. For the same reason you should prevent the breeding sachets from coming into contact with heating pipes.