Leapin' lizards: chemical-free insect control in the greenhouse

摘要

As ayoung girl growing up in Texas, I remember purchasing anoles from local pet stores and at the state fair. These delightful creatures came with strings, one end of which was tied securely around their bodies and the other end attached to a safetypin. With this pin, we would attach them to our blouses. We giggled with delight as they crawled around on our clothing and changed colors. Little did I know some 30 years later I would be using them for insect control. To avoid spraying harmful chemicals, I introduced six anoles (ano-lees) into my 12 X 20-foot orchid house. They are allowed to roam freely among the plants, while eating almost any small moving insect, such as ants, crickets, cockroaches, spiders, moths and mealybugs. Many of these insects are imported with plant shipments. and they thrive and multiply in the warm moist conditions of the greenhouse. Six anoles are adequate to keep my greenhouse, with its 300 orchid plants, almost free of pests.