How to Use Biological Pest Controls

Biological pest control is a form of manipulating nature to control harmful pests. Simply speaking, biological pest control uses predator insects and pathogens to kill harmful insects that may feast on your vegetable garden. This can be done a number of ways: from using a pesticide that only harms the targeted pest or by inserting a predator insect into the environment.The benefits of using biological pest controls include avoiding chemical treatments that may harm humans and the environment.However, biological pest control requires more time, management and in some cases money.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Access to resource for Biological Pest Control
• Time to monitor progress

Using Biological Pest Controls

1. Evaluate your threat. What pests exactly pose a threat to your tomatoes? If you don't already know exactly what your harmful insect is, attempt to capture one and consult an entomologist or the Internet.

2. Determine the beneficial insect (or enemy of the harmful insect). Once again, consult an entomologist or the Internet.

3. Increase the population of the beneficial insect. This can be done in three ways: Introduce the insect into the environment; Breed or purchase more of the beneficial insect and release them in one massive assault; Conserve the beneficial insect or remove any obstacles that may impede the beneficial insect from doing its job.

4. Monitor progress and adjust tactics accordingly.

Tips & Warnings

• Before attempting any biological pest controls, research, research, research or seek professional help.
• Though beneficial insects may be beneficial for eradicating harmful pests, the beneficial insects may become harmful pests once the original pest is removed, i.e. Wasps.

Resources

• Here is a table of harmful pests and the beneficial agent.