Can biological and chemical controls be combined?
Written by
Paul Reynolds
Reviewed by
Prof. Samuel Fitzgerald, Ph.D.IPM effectively integrates biological and chemical controls for optimal results, utilizing natural enemies in conjunction with selective pesticides when necessary. This approach maintains effective pest control while minimizing negative environmental impacts. Farmers achieve improved crop protection through these purposeful combinations.
When used carefully, selective pesticides do not affect beneficial insects. Some fungicides and miticides are not harmful to predatory mites. Neonicotinoid alternatives enable you to maintain Orius bugs to control thrips. Be sure to check for chemical-biological incompatibility when mixing treatments to avoid adverse reactions. This will allow you to avoid wiping out your natural pest control partners!
Greenhouse Operations
- Release Phytoseiulus persimilis mites alongside selective miticides
- Apply insect growth regulators that don't harm parasitoid wasps
- Use yellow sticky traps with Orius insidiosus releases
Orchard Management
- Combine Trichogramma wasps with Bt sprays for codling moth
- Apply kaolin clay while conserving ladybug populations
- Time dormant oil sprays before beneficial insect activity
Field Crop Integration
- Use pheromone traps with conservation biological control
- Apply selective herbicides that preserve ground beetle habitats
- Combine trap crops with targeted spot-spraying
Timing applications judiciously recommended to retain the effectiveness of biological control. Apply chemicals when pests are vulnerable during specific stages of their life cycle. Allow beneficial insects to be released when chemical residues have dissipated. Plan to rotate applications to retain both methods. This strategic sequencing maintains consistent pressure on the pest to keep control.
Almond growers in California showcase successful integration. They release 1 billion parasitic wasps each year. Fixing sprays for secondary pest management occurs between each release. Overall, both additions result in a 60% reduction in chemical use. Yields increase with a preventative program that protects beneficial insects.
Integrated strategies confer economic benefits and cost savings. Farmers incur lower expenses through reduced chemical procurement. Biological agents provide longer-term protection between rounds of chemical treatments. Combining these strategies affords a cost-effective solution that rewards investment over single-method approaches in the long run.
Read the full article: Biological Pest Control Explained Simply
