Lacewings, Jasper Ever Heard of Them?

Well, howdy again, folks! Fred Talley back with you from Faith Pest Control, serving the good folks of Jasper, Georgia. Now, today we’re gonna chat about a critter that might not seem like a problem at first glance, in fact, some folks even welcome ’em. We’re talkin’ about lacewings.

Now, what exactly are lacewings? These are delicate-looking insects, often a pretty green color, with these beautiful, intricate, net-like wings – hence the name. They’re kinda graceful fliers, and you might spot ’em fluttering around your porch lights at night. The adults are generally about half an inch to three-quarters of an inch long, and they’ve got these long, slender antennae.

Now, here’s where things get interesting. The adult lacewings, for the most part, aren’t really the problem we pest control folks get called about. In fact, they can actually be beneficial because some species feed on aphids and other small, soft-bodied insects. So, why am I bringing them up? Well, the issue often arises from their offspring, the lacewing larvae.

These larvae, sometimes called “aphid lions,” are a different story altogether. They’re these small, alligator-shaped critters with prominent, sickle-shaped mandibles. And these little guys are voracious predators. They’ll chow down on aphids, spider mites, scale insects, and even small caterpillars. Sounds great, right?

Well, here’s the rub. Sometimes, in their quest for food, these lacewing larvae can get a little… enthusiastic. They have been known to bite humans, especially if they land on you and mistake your skin for a tasty bug. These bites can be a bit irritating, causing a small, itchy welt. It’s not dangerous, mind you, but it can be annoying, especially if you have a lot of these larvae around.

Another issue folks sometimes encounter is the appearance of their eggs. Lacewings lay these peculiar eggs on long, slender stalks, often on the undersides of leaves. While the eggs themselves aren’t a problem, some folks find their presence unsightly, especially on ornamental plants.

So, while adult lacewings are generally beneficial predators in your garden, the larvae can occasionally become a nuisance with their bites, and the eggs can be a cosmetic concern for some.

Now, what can you do about lacewings if they’re becoming a bit of a bother around your Jasper home? Here are a few things to consider:

What you can do:

Tolerance (to a degree): Remember that the larvae are doing a good job of controlling other plant pests. If the biting isn’t too severe, you might consider tolerating their presence, especially in your garden.

Physical Removal: If you’re finding the larvae on your porch or patio and they’re biting, you can gently brush them off. Similarly, if the egg stalks are bothering you on ornamental plants, you can carefully snip those leaves off.

Avoid Harsh Pesticides: Broad-spectrum insecticides will not only harm the lacewing larvae but also the beneficial adult lacewings and other helpful insects in your yard. This can actually lead to more pest problems down the road.

Manage Other Pest Populations: Since the lacewing larvae are attracted to areas with lots of aphids and other small insects, keeping those populations in check can indirectly reduce the number of lacewing larvae around your home. You can do this with things like horticultural oil or insecticidal soap, applied carefully and according to the product label.

Call the Professionals (if it’s a persistent issue): While lacewings aren’t a typical pest control concern in the same way as ants or termites, if you’re experiencing a significant issue with larval bites around your home, we at Faith Pest Control can offer advice and potentially some targeted solutions. We’d want to assess the situation and recommend the least impactful approach to address the problem without harming beneficial insects unnecessarily.

Now, I want to reiterate that lacewings are generally considered beneficial insects in the garden. Their larvae are natural pest controllers. So, before you take any action, consider the good they’re doing. However, if their larvae are becoming a nuisance with their bites around your home, a few simple steps or a call to us here at Faith Pest Control can help you find a balance. We’re all about keeping your home and yard healthy and pest-free, in a way that respects the natural balance as much as possible. That’s the Faith Pest Control way!

(This article was composed by Gemini AI)

At Faith Pest Control, we offer a free consultation and a 100% “Make You Happy” “Money Back Guarantee”: If you hire Faith Pest Control to get rid of your bug problem and, at the end of 30 days, you are not 100% Happy…..we’ll come back and retreat your home for FREE…..and we’ll keep on treating it for FREE until you tell us you ARE Happy. If that still doesn’t make you happy we’ll give you back every penny you spent on the original treatment…..PLUS…..we’ll pay you an additional $25.00 for your time and trouble just for fooling with us. Bottom line is this: You will be happy with the service we provide or you won’t pay a penny…..period. If you feel like what I’ve said makes sense, call Faith Pest Control today at 770-823-9202 and ask to speak to me, Fred Talley. I will be more than happy to speak with you and answer any questions you may have.

Lacewings, Jasper Ever Heard of Them?