Green Lacewing Control: How To Get Rid of Green Lacewings

This page is a general green lacewing control guide. Using the suggested products and methods will reduce the population of green lacewings. Follow this guide and use the recommended products, and we guarantee a great reduction in the population of green lacewings.

Green lacewings are common in homes and businesses. They are about 3/4 of an inch in length. They have large transparent wings that cover their whole bodies. They are usually green in color but could vary depending on the species.

These pests are commonly found in tall grasses, trees, bushes, and woody areas. Green lacewings are important predators of aphids, whiteflies, thrips, and other insect prey. If you find them in your garden or yard, you might have a small insect infestation.

Green lacewings do not transmit disease or bite or sting, but their sudden appearance means that you might have an infestation of aphids or thrips, and these insects are vectors of many plant diseases.

Identification

Identification is very important for control. You must ensure you’re dealing with green lacewings and not another bug. Below are the characteristics that set green lacewings apart.

• Usually, it measures about 3/4 of an inch in length.
• Usually, as their name states, it is green in color.
• Has two long, veiny, and transparent wings.
• Its eyes are golden and circular.
• Have antennae.
• And 6 legs.

Inspection

Inspection is crucial for complete control. Before you can treat, you must ensure you are dealing with green lacewings. During the inspection, you will be looking for green lacewing activity.

Where To Inspect

Since most green lacewings are found near plants where their prey is found, you will do your inspection there. Search near bushes, ornamentals, gardens, brushes, flower beds, and anywhere there is vegetation.

What To Look For

You’re looking for green lacewings and their larvae. Larvae are brown to white and may grow to up to 1/2 an inch in length. Both adults and larvae will be found near plants where their prey is found. Once you have confirmed green lacewing activity, it is time to begin treatment.

Treatment

Once you have confirmed green lacewing activity, it is time to begin treatment. Remember to read all product labels, follow the application instructions on these labels, and stay safe by wearing personal protective equipment.

Step 1: Outdoor Treatment

Apply treatment outdoors. You will use two products, Supreme IT and Dominion 2L. Supreme IT repels and kills the small insects that green lacewings feed on, and it will keep working for up to three months. Dominion 2L is a systemic insecticide that is absorbed by plants and kills aphids, thrips, and other small insects that destroy the food source for Green Lacewings.

Supreme IT

Mix 1 ounce of Supreme IT with a gallon of water inside a pump sprayer. This application rate will treat 1,000 square feet.

Spray all over your yard, starting at the back of the lawn and working your way to the front. Also spray in ornamentals, landscaping, and small bushes.

For gardens, flowerbeds, and fruit-bearing trees, you will use Dominion 2L.

Dominion 2L

Read the label for application instructions (check for aphid control). You should 1.5 fluid ounces per 100 gallons of water.

Use a pump sprayer to spray the foliage of trees, shrubs, flower beds, gardens, and groundcovers.

Prevention

Prevention is the final step in control. There are many things you can do to prevent green lacewings.

• Start by regularly monitoring your plants for aphid or thrips infestations. Green lacewings are more likely to appear when their populations grow out of control. Finally, apply Supreme IT every 90 days to maintain a protective barrier to repel their food source.

Key Takeaways

What are Green Lacewings?

• Green lacewings are beneficial pests that feed on many harmful insects but can bite people if threatened.

How to Get Rid of Green Lacewings

• Our recommendation is to control existing thrip and aphid populations with Dominion 2L and apply Supreme IT to control green lacewings.

Preventing Green Lacewings Reinfestations

• Remember to regularly inspect your plants for sucking pests of ornamentals. If their populations grow out of control, you might be visited by green lacewings. Remember to apply your products throughout the year to keep aphids and thrips out of your plants, which will discourage green lacewings. Finally, remember to read all product labels, follow the application instructions, and stay safe by wearing personal protective equipment.