IPM aka Integrated Pest Management system

Moon Mountain Farm

February 27th, 2026

IPM- Integrated Pest Management

Collaborative Order Share for Green Lacewings

Lets talk bugs!  And more specifically IPM (Integrated Pest Management) systems.  I am no Entomologist but maybe you could call me a curious Entomobotonist.  Someone who cares deeply for my plants and wants to create a balanced ecosystem within my garden.  This means I do not use any pesticides or herbicides of any kind.  And why I love the philosophy of IPM as a strategy to introduce good bugs to fight the bad bugs.  Now while this might sound weird to bring in bugs we also want to bring in bugs that are already native to our region and not going to throw off the natural balance of things.  

I won't go into too much of the entomology of it all here but I will link resources below to start you on your journey of researching what might be the best option for your region, specific pest issues and seasonality.  

As of today, a sunny late February day in zone 8 a/b, we have had one of the most mild winters I have ever experienced in the PNW.  We only once had a very light frost and at 31’ it barely registered except to the most sensitive of plants.  One of the benefits of a cold stretch of winter and frost is to knock out the bad bugs and reduce their numbers.  Many good and bad bugs overwinter but that frost helps control numbers so there is not a huge imbalance.  In my garden I have seen a steady colony of aphids, white flies and leaf hoppers mid winter.

Due to this I am choosing to bring in some good bugs a bit earlier than I usually do.  A typical program would be to wait until after the threat of frost and when you see the bad bugs numbers increasing.  It's only beneficial to bring in good bugs when there are bad bugs to feast on.  The good bugs will get ahead of those bad bugs and help reduce populations.  And done in a series (every 2-3 weeks) in spring can really keep harmony in balance come Summer.

Now on to my strategy and why I am reaching out into the community to share about a way for us who might be sharing similar climate and pest issues.  If we combine orders we can share cost and also lean on each other in our trials of what is working in our management systems.

If you are reading this and do not live near Gig Harbor, WA. Or simply not ready to jump into a shared order please check out the resources below and begin learning about how an IPM strategy can take some (bug) pressure off your gardens.

Vegetable and Flower growers:

Flower growers generally are most concerned with above soil pests while vegetable growers will benefit from a combo of below soil and above soil IPM.  Green Lacewings and nematodes are a great combo to cover the wide variety.  Assassin bugs should only ever be used on their own.  And lady bugs are not always native or effective, flying away to higher elevations as soon as temp goes over 80’.

Vegetable growers:

-Beneficial nematodes- applied after first frost.  2 releases separated by 10 days.  

This one is a bit more individualized based on crops and specific pest pressure.  If interested, review the link and see if it will work for you.  This is not going to be a combined order but with free shipping feel free to order your own.

-Green Lacewings- After nematodes follow the lacewing protocol below after last frost.

Flower growers:

-Green Lacewings- are great for lots of softbody pests: thrips, white flies, spider mites, aphids, leafhoppers.  This is a great one to share orders on since you can get a very easy to share option and acquire a smaller amount for smaller spaces when ordering with others as well as cost reduction.

*Application Rate is 1000 eggs per 2000sqft growing space.

Eggs come on perforated cards that can be hung around the garden and as they hatch be released.  Each Card has 5000 eggs and each card has 30 perforated tabs.

• Ex: If your garden is 2000 sqft or approx 45’ x 45’ you could use 6 tabs from a card and the cost is approx $5.00. *I have calculated tax and rounded based on ease of ordering.  See chart below.

Recommended dose is every two weeks for 3 to 4* cycles.  Shipping can be 2-5 days.

Estimated Shipping Dates:

*Ideally we should start after the last frost which is March 15th in our zone 8 a/b here in Gig Harbor area.

• First Order- March 16th

• 2nd Order- March  30th

• 3rd Order -  April 13th

• 4th Order - April 27th may not be needed

If interested in doing a group order you must commit to a pick up schedule.  Cards are shipped and the eggs are ready to hatch soon after arriving so must be collected the day of delivery.  I will place the order, collect payments and arrange to alert eta once the tracking number is received.

Orders Due by Friday March 13th to be included in the order.  You must plan for a 3 order schedule and pay in advance. Please email christie@moonmtnfarm.com and specify order qty from the chart below and once I confirm you have been added to our combined order payment is due by 3/13.

Unsure of your growing space:

Measure the length x width.  Ex: a small garden might be 20’x20’ and be 400 sqft so round up and you would order from the first column.  

Peek at the chart to determine how many eggs/tabs you need.

*Prices as of 3/1/2026

Sources:

Abrico for bugs and advice: 

https://www.arbico-organics.com/category/beneficial-insects-organisms 

1-800-827-2847

No Till Flowers Podcast

Episode 31: Beneficial Insects and Natural Pest Control w/ IPM Expert Margaret Parks of Evergreen Growers Supply

Episode 32: Part 2- Beneficial Insects and Natural Pest Control w/ IPM Expert Margaret Parks

Adult Green Lacewing found near the house