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Flower balconies, often vibrant and compact garden spaces in urban or residential settings, can quickly become hotspots for common pests like aphids, whiteflies, thrips, and fungus gnats. Because these areas are close to living spaces and frequently visited by pollinators, traditional chemical sprays are often undesirable. Biological pest control offers a safe and effective alternative, using natural enemies such as predatory mites, beneficial nematodes, and predatory insects to target pests without harming plants, people, or beneficial insects. Many biocontrol products are easy to apply—such as preventative sachets—making them ideal for home gardeners. This approach not only keeps plants healthy and blooming but also supports a more sustainable and pollinator-friendly balcony ecosystem.
Flower Balconies & Pest Control
Monitoring & Mass Trapping
Monitoring and mass trapping are important tools for managing pests on flower balconies, but they must be used thoughtfully to protect beneficial insects. Horiver sticky cards and roller tape can be helpful for detecting early signs of pests like whiteflies or thrips, but they should only be used if the balcony is enclosed or netted. When placed in open, outdoor spaces, these sticky traps can unintentionally capture pollinators like bees and butterflies, as well as native beneficial insects that help keep pest populations in check. For open balconies, it's better to rely on regular visual inspections and use targeted pheromone traps for specific pests when needed. This approach allows for effective monitoring and population control while preserving the health and diversity of the surrounding insect community.
Spider Mite Control Products
| Spider Mite Control Products | Preventative | Elimination | Repeat Applications | Notes |
| One sachet per plant | n/a | Every 3-4 weeks | Feeds on all stages of spider mites, but does not do well in webbing. The sachets last 4-5 weeks on the plants. | |
| One sachet per plant | n/a | Bi-weekly or as needed | Feeds on all stages of spider mites. | |
| | n/a | One sachet per plant
OR
100-150 predatory mites per meter square | Bi-weekly or as needed | Both products feed on all stages of spider mites.
Use Spidex Boost OR Spidex Red & Diboxes to avoid getting carrier material on the floor.
|
Thrips Control Products
| Thrips Control Products | Preventative | Elimination | Repeat Applications | Notes |
| One sachet per plant | One sachet per plant combined with Thripor or Horiver | Every 4-5 weeks | Feeds on 1st instar thrips larvae. The sachets last 4-5 weeks once applied on the plants. | |
| | n/a | 40 insects per sq. meter | Bi-weekly or as needed | Feeds on all stages of thrips, except eggs and pupae. Best used with diboxes for a cleaner distribution method. |
| One card per square meter | Two cards per square meter | Replace cards when full | Only use when if the balcony is netted or closed in.
Blue or Yellow: common thrips species Green: Echinothrips | |
| 1 tablespoon per pot | n/a | Repeat every 6-8 weeks or when an influx of thrips is found on the plants | Only use with common thrips species, as this product only feeds on thrips pupae and the Echinothrips do not pupate in the soil.
To be used as a supplementary control in combination with Swirski Ulti-mite. Will not adequately control thrips as a stand alone product.
An Entomite 10,000 will treat 60 pots at one tablespoon per pot. |
Fungus Gnat Control Products
| Fungus Gnat Control Products | Preventative | Elimination | Repeat Applications | Notes |
| 1 tablespoon per pot | 2-3 tablespoons per pot. | Prevention: re-apply every time you pot up your plants or change out soil.
Elimination: Repeat every 6-8 weeks or when there is an influx of fungus gnats flying around the plants | Feeds on fungus gnat eggs and larvae.
An Entomite 10,000 will treat 60 pots at one tablespoon per pot.
Use in combination with yellow Horiver Wetstick cards. | |
| One card per square meter | Two cards per square meter | Replace cards when full | Only use when if the balcony is netted or closed in. Hang underneath the foliage near the soil line to capture flying adults. | |
| n/a | 500,000 per meter square | Re-apply weekly for 3-4 weeks | For fast results, use in conjunction with Entomite. Works on fungus gnat larvae. |
Aphid Control Products
Scale/Mealybug Control Products
| Scale/Mealybug Control Products | Preventative | Elimination | Repeat Applications | Notes |
| | n/a | 40 insects per square meter | Weekly or bi-weekly as needed | Product mimics the look of mealybugs. It can be hard to distinguish between the two. Best used with diboxes for a cleaner distribution method. |
Whitefly Control Products
| Whitefly Product Controls | Preventative | Curative | Repeat Applications | Notes |
| 1 sachet per plant | 1 sachet per plant combined with yellow Horiver cards | Apply every 4-5 weeks. | Feeds on eggs and larvae of whitefly. The sachets last 4-5 weeks on the plants. | |
| One card per square meter | Two cards per square meter | Replace cards when full | For best results place cards approx. 18" (46cm) above canopy. Only use when if the balcony is netted or closed in. |
Caterpillar Control Products
| Caterpillar Control Products | Preventative | Elimination | Repeat Applications | Notes |
| n/a | 500,000 per square meter | Weekly or bi-weekly as needed | Ony apply once you see the caterpillars on the leaves. |