Bug Control w/ Zebra Finches

[sboggio]

I have a new greenhouse. I'm learning about the plant side of things but also that bugs are what it grows best of all. In some reading I did looking at biological control of the bugs, using Zebra Finches was mentioned. There was not much detail. Does anyone know about using finches to eat bugs?

[singing_wings]

Most of our Zebra Finches will not eat live food except the occaisonal mealworm or tiny moth that gets near by. We do have some Owl Finches, Weavers, Cordon Blues and other waxbills that are very fond of Livefood. In fact they need it daily (Cordon Blues). If you do decide to use finches besure if they can come in contact with the plants in the greenhouse that they are not poisionous to birds!

[Kalvin]

For pest control you'd be better off with waxbills or smaller softbills since most finches tend to eat more seed than insects. Yuhinas are a good softbill to start with that are small and agile enough to catch insects in flight.

[sboggio]

Good point about checking for plant toxicity. I'll definitly do that.

I just have to findout what they think of the bugs. They are crazy about taking anything thats not nailed down for nest material. Maybe if they won't eat them they will make nesting material out of them..LOL..

I would look at other species for better bug control, once I get confidence in my ability to make the Zebra Finches happy with the temperatures in the greenhouse. So far I'm having good luck keeping things between 50F and 110F.