What are the main types of biological control?
Written by
Paul Reynolds
Reviewed by
Prof. Samuel Fitzgerald, Ph.D.Biological control strategies utilize natural systems to manage pests, avoiding the use of chemicals. Farmers and gardeners will explore the means that are best suited to their situations. Three primary strategies offer sustainable solutions for different scenarios. Each approach offers a distinct perspective on pest management, providing unique advantages in pest control.
Conservation biological control is the process of maintaining and/or providing habitat for existing beneficial insects in your area. For parasitic wasps, plants that produce nectar support them. For ground predator beetles (ground and rove beetles), you might create a beetle bank. Do not use broad-spectrum pesticides that may impact these beneficial insects, thereby providing this method of pest control a sustainable, long-term value to the ecosystem.
Classical biological control involves intentionally introducing specialist natural enemies to combat invasive pests. Extensive testing is conducted before releasing any new agents, and scientists perform controlled releases under specific conditions. The program using the vedalia beetle successfully reclaimed California citrus from cottony cushion scale. Introductions can provide a permanent solution, as long as they are executed properly.
Conservation Methods
- Plant native flowering species to sustain adult parasitoids
- Leave overwintering habitats like leaf litter for predator insects
- Create corridors connecting habitats for natural enemy movement
- Reduce tillage to protect ground beetle populations
Augmentative Releases
- Order mass-reared agents like ladybugs for immediate pest outbreaks
- Release Trichogramma wasps weekly during peak moth flight periods
- Apply nematodes through irrigation systems during cool evenings
- Time releases with pest life stages for maximum effectiveness
Augmentative control offers rapid solutions for emergent pest issues. Greenhouses utilize predatory mites to control spider mite problems every week. Homeowners use nematodes to control grub problems quickly. This approach allows for continued input; however, it enables the rapid prevention of crop loss.
For optimum outcomes in dynamic environments, combine tactics. Use conservation tactics as the foundation. Use augmentative releases with pest population outbreaks. Use classical tactics for serious invasive species. By layering these tactics, you engender resilient growing systems.
The climate has a substantial impact on the success of your strategy. Conservation is more likely to succeed within a stable ecosystem. Augmentative releases require careful temperature monitoring. Classical introductions require climate matching between the source location of the agent and the release location. Adapt to regional contingencies.
Read the full article: Biological Pest Control Explained Simply
