How to Get Rid of Green Lacewings Naturally

Green lacewings can be found in your garden area, bushes, and trees and also in a woody area. They measure about ¾ of an inch. They are usually of green color but also come in a different color depending upon the species. They have a transparent wing that covers their whole bodies. The green lacewings are essential insect predators who consume whiteflies, aphids, thrips, and other sorts of small insects. If you see these in your yard or garden, you have a small insect infestation. 

What is a Green Lacewing?

Contrary to popular belief, green lacewing is an important beneficial insect. Like lady beetles, green lacewings are important predators of different insect eggs and soft body insects. These types of insects are commonly found in summer, spring and fall. Their contribution to insect control is impressive (until they become an infestation). 

Adult green lacewings grow up to ¾ inch long, light green in color and a frail appearance with lacy wings. Another unusual characteristic of green lacewing is their eyes, as they look like two golden hemispheres. 

What Do Green Lacewings Eat?

The adult green lacewings generally feed on nectar, honeydew, and pollen, but there are some other species that feed on insects. The Green lacewing larvae feed on aphids and thrips. When the green lacewing eggs hatch, the larvae that emerge is known as the “Aphid Lion.” This larva is the best predator to consume large quantities of aphids, spider mites, and mealybugs. It also consumes the caterpillar eggs, thrips, and whiteflies. These larvae will keep feeding on these insects for 1-3 weeks. Once the lacewing larvae turn into an adult, it feeds only on pollen, nectar, and honeydew. 

Why do I have green lacewings in your house?

If you see lots of green lacewing in your garden area or even see them lurking inside your house, it means that you have a pest problem that needs to be taken care of. In general, green lacewings are considered good insects that devour other small insects and keep your garden area free from infestation. However, if the number of green lacewings has increased significantly, it means that there is too much pest infestation, because of which the number of green lacewings has increased. Small insects like whiteflies, aphids, thrips attract green lacewings. These insects are the reason why you see green lacewings in your home. 

Where do Green lacewings come from?

Green lacewings come from the large family of Chrysopidae. It comes from about 85 genera and has 1,300 – 2,000 species. These Chrysopidae are commonly found in Europe and North America. These are commonly known as “lacewings.” These small green insects range from 6 to 65 mm. Most large are found in tropical regions. Green lacewings are attracted to garden areas and woody areas where there is an abundance of small insect whiteflies, thrips, and aphids. These insects serve as food for the larvae of the green lacewing. The larvae depend on these insects for 1-3 weeks. 

Where do Green lacewings lay their eggs?

An adult green lacewing lays her egg on foliage. Each egg is attached to a hair-like filament. The eggs are laid just after a few days; tiny larvae predators emerge from these eggs to devour aphids and thrips. These are tiny larvae when they emerge from the eggs but grow up to 3/8 inch long. These are known as “aphid lions” as they voraciously attack these aphids with their large jaws. The larvae inject a large amount of poison into these insects.  

Are these tiny green flying bugs attracted to light?

These tiny green flying bugs are found in most environments. Green lacewings are attracted to light at night and are attracted to lamps, recessed lights, ceiling lights, and light fixtures. 

Are green lacewings rare?

No, green lacewings are not rare as these tiny green insects are commonly found in Europe and North America. These tiny little green insects come from the family of Chrysopidae. There are about 85 genera, and it has 1,300 – 2,000 species. 

Are green lacewing flies Harmful?

Green lacewings are harmful and dangerous to the insects present in your garden. When the green lacewing is at the larvae stage, it devours aphids and other pests like thrips, mealybugs, and whiteflies in huge numbers. Green lacewings larvae are known as “aphid lion” because of their huge jaws filled with venom. The lacewing larvae have long curved mandibles, but they do not bite or sting animals or humans. Also, the adult lacewing mandibles are proportional to their bodies, but they also do not harm the animals or humans. Lacewings are known to be beneficial because they get rid of pest infestation naturally. 

Do green lacewings bite humans?

Green Lacewings don’t stray from their plants, and they stay where they are on most occasions. Humans, in general, are not at risk of getting bitten by the green lacewing. However, you can get bitten by the green lacewing larvae when you are working in your garden. It’s just a slight prick and a red, itchy bump that is similar to a mosquito bite. It’s the result of the bite, and the bite comes from the bug’s caustic saliva. The discomfort that arises because of this bite usually goes away in less than 24 hours, and no type of treatment is necessary. These bites are not dangerous but are like a nuisance.

How to Get Rid of Green Lacewings Naturally

Green lacewings are attracted to aphids and thrips. If you want to get rid of them naturally, you need to get rid of the food of green lacewings, i.e., the aphids and thrips. You need to kill these insects to get rid of green lacewings. If you see them inside your house, open the doors and windows, and they will go in sometime. Adult green lacewings are harmless, and they do not hurt humans. 

How to Prevent Green Lacewings from Getting into your house

Prevention is better than cure. So, you need to check your plants for Thrips or Aphids infestations regularly. If you see their population growth, you might see a green lacewing infestation. To prevent the increase of Aphids and Thrips, you will need to use Dominion 2L on the plants and trees. The plants can absorb dominion 2L, and it kills thrips and aphids, and other insects that are consumed by the green lacewing. You need to spray dominion 2L every 90 days. Do not go to the area for the next 2-4 hours.