Biological Pest Control Or BPC for short…

Biological Pest Control--BPC What is it? Biological Pest Control is a way of controlling pests and diseases in agriculture that relies on natural predation rather than chemicals.

How does it work? Biological pest control works to create a system where the insects referred to as pests and the things that cause diseases are kept at manageable levels using natural means. Biological pest control works to create a system where the insects referred to as pests and the things that cause diseases are kept at manageable levels using natural means. For example: Introducing a predator to a pest, or growing plants that keep particular insects away.

Let me introduce…the predators LADYBUGS—The larva will eat more than their fare share of aphids, blackflies, caterpillars and mites. (Not really lady-like…) LADYBUGS—The larva will eat more than their fare share of aphids, blackflies, caterpillars and mites. (Not really lady-like…) Dragonflies—They eat mosquitoes and mosquito larva. Very important in the control of mosquito population. Dragonflies—They eat mosquitoes and mosquito larva. Very important in the control of mosquito population. Parasitic Wasps—They lay their eggs IN many common pests. The eggs hatch and eat the pests alive!! Parasitic Wasps—They lay their eggs IN many common pests. The eggs hatch and eat the pests alive!!

Here they are…

A Wasp and its prey

Plants keep away the insects? How can this be? Masking/shielding the crop plants from pests Masking/shielding the crop plants from pests Producing smells that confuse and deter pests. Producing smells that confuse and deter pests. Acting as trap plants by providing an alluring food that entices pests away from crops. Acting as trap plants by providing an alluring food that entices pests away from crops. Serving as nursery plants, providing breeding grounds for beneficial insects. Serving as nursery plants, providing breeding grounds for beneficial insects.

Did you know Basil — Repels flies and mosquitoes. Basil — Repels flies and mosquitoes. Catnip — Deters flea beetle. Catnip — Deters flea beetle. Garlic — Deters Japanese beetle. Garlic — Deters Japanese beetle. Horseradish — Deters potato bugs. Horseradish — Deters potato bugs. Marigold — The workhorse of pest deterrents. Discourages Mexian bean beetles, nematodes and others. Marigold — The workhorse of pest deterrents. Discourages Mexian bean beetles, nematodes and others. Mint — Deters white cabbage moth, ants. Mint — Deters white cabbage moth, ants. Nasturium — Deters aphids, squash bugs and striped pumpkin beetles. Nasturium — Deters aphids, squash bugs and striped pumpkin beetles.

Did you know Cont’d Pot Marigold — Deters asparagus beetles, tomato worm, and general garden pests. Pot Marigold — Deters asparagus beetles, tomato worm, and general garden pests. Peppermint — Repels the white cabbage butterfly. Peppermint — Repels the white cabbage butterfly. Rosemary — Deters cabbage moth, bean beetles and carrot fly. Rosemary — Deters cabbage moth, bean beetles and carrot fly. Sage — Deters cabbage moth and carrot fly. Sage — Deters cabbage moth and carrot fly. Southern Wood — Deters cabbage moth. Southern Wood — Deters cabbage moth. Summer Savory — Deters bean beetles. Summer Savory — Deters bean beetles. Tansy — Deters flying insects, Japanese beetles, striped cucumber beetles, squash bugs and ants. Tansy — Deters flying insects, Japanese beetles, striped cucumber beetles, squash bugs and ants. Thyme — Deters cabbage worm. Thyme — Deters cabbage worm. Wormwood — Deters animals from garden. Wormwood — Deters animals from garden.

Why Use BPC? Benefits: This is a very cost effective way to prevent pests. (Cheaper than pesticides). This is a very cost effective way to prevent pests. (Cheaper than pesticides). No chemicals will be used, therefore, no pollution. No chemicals will be used, therefore, no pollution. No chemicals—no health problems. No chemicals—no health problems.

Why not BPC? The negatives: You must spend more time trying to control the pests. (More time spent=less money) You must spend more time trying to control the pests. (More time spent=less money) Research must be done to find the “right” bugs/plants for the job. Research must be done to find the “right” bugs/plants for the job. If the wrong insects/plants are used, then you can end up seriously harming the ecosystem. If the wrong insects/plants are used, then you can end up seriously harming the ecosystem.

Harming the Ecosystem… In Hawaii, the mongoose was imported to stop the spread of rodents. In Hawaii, the mongoose was imported to stop the spread of rodents. The mongoose ate many rodents, but ate other things too…(not good.) The mongoose ate many rodents, but ate other things too…(not good.)

Lady Bug vs. Preying Mantis What would you choose? You are a farmer in Nova Scotia and you have been having problems with aphids. You have decided to use BPC instead of chemicals to help the aphid problem. You must choose, based on the information provided, which predator will be the best for you.