TRADITIONAL PESTICIDES ARE
NOTORIOUS for losing their effectiveness midway through cultivation .”
For many researchers and agronomists , biocontrol is not only the preferred method of pest management , it is the exclusive means to control crop damage by pests . This is especially true for crops that are certified organic . Modern cultivation methods are advancing at record speeds , and many young , highly intelligent individuals and groups are joining the revolution with a few key principles in mind . Cultivators of this new generation seek to optimize their production practices using sustainable , environmentally sound techniques , with the health and safety of themselves , their employees , the environment , and consumers at the core of their concerns . Biocontrol pest management practices provide the resources growers need to achieve this “ green ” method of growing .
WHAT IS IT ?
The concept of biocontrol is referred to by multiple names as it enters the hydroponics market . Additional keywords include ‘ natural enemies ’, ‘ organic pest control ’, and ‘ beneficial insects ’. Ultimately , they are all the same thing , with a few different modes of action : to control pests by introducing their predators into the same environment . These predatory insects pose zero risk to the health of plants or people as they seek out their food source . The majority of these beneficial insects operate by consuming the young offspring of the pests , typically in the infancy of their development , as they interrupt the life cycle of the colony . This works to prevent further spread . Because of this , biocontrol pest management works best as a preventative measure , as with a standing army of beneficial insects already positioned in the same environment , the pests never have a chance to develop . For crops that are especially vulnerable to spider mites , biocontrol becomes a lifesaver as mites are known for reproducing quickly . That said , there are still some biocontrol options available to treat established colonies of pests , but it can be more expensive and less effective if the colony has already spread uncontrollably . As it consistently saves upwards of 10 per cent of your crop ( or even up to 100 per cent , in severe cases ), biocontrol easily pays for itself by implementing a customized pest management plan right from the beginning .
THE ADVANTAGES
TRADITIONAL PESTICIDES ARE
NOTORIOUS for losing their effectiveness midway through cultivation .”
There are many unique advantages to biocontrol pest management over traditional methods . Determining which pesticides are safe to use is a complicated task . Although most pesticides that are commercially sold must legally be registered by both the EPA as well as the state DPR , the risk of toxic chemical residue on consumable crops is still very real . In some cases , there are chemical treatments available that are exempt from pesticide registration as they are considered “ low-risk ”, as well as additional products registered for use on “ unspecified green plants ”. Still , these nebulous and potentially dangerous treatment methods can ’ t and won ’ t hold a candle to safer , more effective alternatives . The time and other costs associated with the registration process would be greatly reduced for the certification and approval of biocontrol , as there is no risk of potentially dangerous chemical byproducts from using the natural enemies method . The integration and push for biocontrol for all cultivation methods and crops opens the door to additional revenue streams through the taxation of a higher-priced end product . We already know that certified organic crops often cost more due to improved safety levels and production practices , and many people are happy to pay more for that peace of mind .
BENEFITS TO GROWERS
From an operational perspective , cultivation facilities that use biocontrol methods can eliminate restricted entry intervals whereby growers and their employees must wait a set amount of time before re-entering the grow space so they don ’ t risk inhalation of the pesticide . In some cases , certain organizations are unable to implement pest management practices and subsequently , a portion of their yields are falling victim to pests . Experts in the field of biocontrol pest management report that these methods are best used preventatively , as even a small colony of pests will have detrimental effects on the ultimate harvest . Traditional pesticides are notorious for losing their effectiveness midway through cultivation , as many insects build up resistance to the chemicals . This lapse in efficacy is largely responsible for reduced yields . Additionally , the repeated use of chemical pesticides poses a risk to the general health of the plant and can actually reduce yield quantity and quality , even when the presence of pests has ceased . Conversely , biocontrol pest management mimics the Earth ’ s natural ecosystems , where plant pests and their natural enemies interact to provide a healthier environment for plants to thrive .
Typically , determining a biocontrol pest management plan depends mostly on square footage of grow space , crop type , and which pests have been a problem previously . These predatory insects are usually only introduced into the environment every two to four weeks , depending on surrounding circumstances when used preventatively . Because of this , growers of all sizes can benefit from this strategy , as the costs are scaled proportionately .
Lacey Macri works as head of sales at CleanGrow , focusing her time on business development within the company . She received a bachelor ’ s degree in communications and psychology from the University of California , Davis in 2011 , where she worked at the California Aggie student newspaper on campus .
Maximum Yield USA | February 2017 121