Lacewings show promise in controlling azalea lacebug, one of the most ubiquitous and annoying pests of rhododendron, azalea and Pieris . Buy from companies that ship eggs or larvae rather than adults, since only the larval stage is predatory. Multiple applications are recommended, especially if the lacewings haven't reduced pest populations in five to seven days, or to control successive generations. They're very effective in controlling specific pests in orchards, nurseries and fields, but success depends so heavily on timing that use by home gardeners has lagged. With improved reporting of localized pest emergence, trichogramma wasps could become an important home IPM tool.
Some companies suggest sequenced releases to cast a wide net.
Getting started in the area of biological pest control is easy. More than 100 suppliers of beneficial insects and biological controls are listed in a booklet from the Environmental Monitoring and Pest Management Branch of the California Department of Pesticide Regulation.