Integrated pest management, or IPM is a process you can use to solve pest problems while minimizing risks to people and the environment. Biobest specialises in IPM in an ever growing range of crops with a focus on greenhouse crops e.g. vegetables, ornamentals, herbs, medicinal cannabis and berries indoor & outdoor.
How does IPM work?
Environmental control in IPM involves reducing pest and disease risks through methods like selecting disease-resistant plants, practicing hygiene, and promoting healthy plant growth. This forms a fundamental part of IPM strategy.
Physical controls in IPM include using barriers like netting and double-door greenhouses to prevent pests from accessing crops, and employing mating disruption techniques to hinder pest reproduction.
Preventative biological control is key in IPM, involving a proactive approach with biological agents to address early pest invasions. Regular reinforcement of these agents ensures ongoing effectiveness against pest establishment.
When pest pressure escalates, possibly due to environmental changes or migration, IPM adjusts by increasing biological control agents or using biorationals. These are typically less harmful and short-lived on plants, aiding in rapid recovery and control by natural enemies.
In extreme cases, despite all preventive measures, conventional pesticides may be necessary in IPM. These are used sparingly and selectively, prioritizing compounds that are least harmful to natural enemies and have minimal persistence on plants.
Biobest offers tailored IPM solutions to protect your crops
Biobest provides a diverse selection of high-quality biological controls, including beneficial insects, mites, and nematodes, along with innovative biorationals, mating disruption traps, and various physical trapping methods. Their expert team creates customized IPM programs, integrating preventative and curative approaches to maximize pest control and improve crop yield and quality.