Biological Pest ControlBiological Pest Control

Or BPC for short…Or BPC for short…

Biological Pest Control--BPCBiological Pest Control--BPC

What is it?What is it?

Biological Pest ControlBiological Pest Control is a way of controlling is a way of controlling pests and diseases in agriculture that relies on pests and diseases in agriculture that relies on natural predation rather than chemicalsnatural predation rather than chemicals. .

How does it work?How does it work?

Biological pest control works to create a Biological pest control works to create a system where the insects referred to as pests system where the insects referred to as pests and the things that cause diseases are kept at and the things that cause diseases are kept at manageable levels using natural means.manageable levels using natural means.

For example: Introducing a predator to a pest, or For example: Introducing a predator to a pest, or growing plants that keep particular insects growing plants that keep particular insects away.away.

Let me introduce…the predatorsLet me introduce…the predators

LADYBUGS—The larva will eat more than LADYBUGS—The larva will eat more than their fare share of aphids, blackflies, their fare share of aphids, blackflies, caterpillars and mites. (Not really lady-like…)caterpillars and mites. (Not really lady-like…)

Dragonflies—They eat mosquitoes and Dragonflies—They eat mosquitoes and mosquito larva. Very important in the control mosquito larva. Very important in the control of mosquito population. of mosquito population.

Parasitic Wasps—They lay their eggs IN many Parasitic Wasps—They lay their eggs IN many common pests. The eggs hatch and eat the common pests. The eggs hatch and eat the pests alive!!pests alive!!

Here they are…Here they are…

A Wasp and its preyA Wasp and its prey

Plants keep away the insects?Plants keep away the insects?

How can this be?How can this be? Masking/shielding the crop plants from pestsMasking/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 Acting as trap plants by providing an alluring

food that entices pests away from crops.food that entices pests away from crops. Serving as nursery plants, providing breeding Serving as nursery plants, providing breeding

grounds for beneficial insects. grounds for beneficial insects.

Did you knowDid you know

BasilBasil — Repels flies and mosquitoes. — Repels flies and mosquitoes. CatnipCatnip — Deters flea beetle. — Deters flea beetle. GarlicGarlic — Deters Japanese beetle. — Deters Japanese beetle. HorseradishHorseradish — Deters potato bugs. — Deters potato bugs. MarigoldMarigold — The workhorse of pest deterrents. — The workhorse of pest deterrents.

Discourages Mexian bean beetles, nematodes and Discourages Mexian bean beetles, nematodes and others. others.

MintMint — Deters white cabbage moth, ants. — Deters white cabbage moth, ants. NasturiumNasturium — Deters aphids, squash bugs and striped — Deters aphids, squash bugs and striped

pumpkin beetles. pumpkin beetles.

Did you know Cont’dDid you know Cont’d Pot MarigoldPot Marigold — Deters asparagus beetles, tomato — Deters asparagus beetles, tomato

worm, and general garden pests. worm, and general garden pests. PeppermintPeppermint — Repels the white cabbage butterfly. — Repels the white cabbage butterfly. RosemaryRosemary — Deters cabbage moth, bean beetles and — Deters cabbage moth, bean beetles and

carrot fly. carrot fly. SageSage — Deters cabbage moth and carrot fly. — Deters cabbage moth and carrot fly. Southern WoodSouthern Wood — Deters cabbage moth. — Deters cabbage moth. Summer SavorySummer Savory — Deters bean beetles. — Deters bean beetles. TansyTansy — Deters flying insects, Japanese beetles, — Deters flying insects, Japanese beetles,

striped cucumber beetles, squash bugs and ants. striped cucumber beetles, squash bugs and ants. ThymeThyme — Deters cabbage worm. — Deters cabbage worm. WormwoodWormwood — Deters animals from garden. — Deters animals from garden.

Why Use BPC?Why Use BPC?

Benefits:Benefits: This is a very cost effective way to prevent This is a very cost effective way to prevent

pests. (Cheaper than pesticides).pests. (Cheaper than pesticides). No chemicals will be used, therefore, no No chemicals will be used, therefore, no

pollution.pollution. No chemicals—no health problems.No chemicals—no health problems.

Why not BPC?Why not BPC?

The negatives:The negatives: You must spend more time trying to control You must spend more time trying to control

the pests. (More time spent=less money)the pests. (More time spent=less money) Research must be done to find the “right” Research must be done to find the “right”

bugs/plants for the job.bugs/plants for the job. If the wrong insects/plants are used, then you If the wrong insects/plants are used, then you

can end up seriously harming the ecosystem.can end up seriously harming the ecosystem.

Harming the Ecosystem…Harming the Ecosystem…

In Hawaii, the mongoose was imported to stop In Hawaii, the mongoose was imported to stop the spread of rodents. the spread of rodents.

The mongoose ate many rodents, but ate other The mongoose ate many rodents, but ate other things too…(not good.)things too…(not good.)

Lady Bug vs. Preying MantisLady Bug vs. Preying Mantis

What would you choose?What would you choose?

You are a farmer in Nova Scotia and you have You are a farmer in Nova Scotia and you have been having problems with aphids. You have been having problems with aphids. You have decided to use BPC instead of chemicals to decided to use BPC instead of chemicals to help the aphid problem. help the aphid problem.

You must choose, based on the information You must choose, based on the information provided, which predator will be the best for provided, which predator will be the best for you.you.