Pest Control Strategies: Part Two

Despite all the prevention, we of course still have pests visit the farm.

I like to think we deal with less issues than we would if we DIDN’T do any prevention so I feel better.

So we notice some destructive little buggers—what’s next?

My first line of defense in my pest control strategy is…a more INTENTIONAL biological control. Our bio beds are an open invitation to beneficial insects to come eat, stay and live. They’re like an indirect biological control.

If that invitation doesn’t seem to be bringing in the numbers to cut it (our pest pressure seems out of balance), I go out and GET the living organisms to help.

Organisms such as beneficial nematodes (microscopic organisms that target specific pests in the soil before they become a bigger problem above ground), and yes, even eggs of predatory beneficial insects—green lacewings, minute pirate bugs, and assassin bugs.

Beneficial Nematode package

I use Arbico Organics to supply these little guys because their website makes it easy to know what you need. You simply search by the pest you’re dealing with and it comes back with recommended biological and even chemical controls for it.

They help you attack the problem before it becomes a PROBLEM.

You feel me?

Assassin bug eggs on easy-to-hang cards.

Assassin bug eggs ready to hatch in one of our bio beds.

No matter how much prevention and biological control we put into place, there have been times when pest populations reach a level where they're significantly impacting our harvest for market.

If that happens, we use neem oil with insecticidal soap (helps the neem mix with water better) as part of a weekly foliar spray program until the problem is under control.

Neem oil is an organic fungicide, miticide and pesticide and it’s one of the most useful tools we keep on hand for managing pest outbreaks. It works by suffocating soft-bodied insects on contact, and also by disrupting insects’ feeding and development when the leaves are eaten.

A ladybug on a plant in a bio bed—one of "the good guys."

Couple tips to minimize the impact on beneficial insects when using neem oil / insecticidal soap: 1. Apply it in the early morning or evening when pollinators and other beneficial insects are less active so they don’t get coated in the oil and suffocate.

2. Avoid spraying open blooms whenever possible where pollinators will surely come in contact with it.

3. Use it as a targeted spot treatment for infested plants rather than a broad-spectrum spray to minimize it’s effects on the good guys.

At the end of the day, our goal isn't to eliminate every insect from the farm—it's to STRIVE to create a healthy, balanced ecosystem where our plants (and our insects, and therefore our birds) can thrive. 

It’s a delicate balance but we’re here for it. At least here for TRYING for it.