Many of the plants that are sold at garden centers and grocery stores are treated with pesticides while they grow to eliminate common insects that feed on the young plants. This invariably leaves chemical residue on the leaves of these plants which remains well after they are bought. At Aerify we use biological control agents to treat our plants naturally to ensure they are healthy and non-toxic. Biological control refers to the use of predator insects that eat the eggs and larvaes of the pests that affect all living potted plants and flowers, therefore eliminating the need to use pesticides.

These predators, also called beneficial agents (BA) or biological control agents (BCA) only feed on specific insects. Each pest has its own natural enemy and specific predator that we use to control the contingent of undesirable insects.

Monitoring at each stage of plant development allows our growers to detect problems early before they become widespread, so we can manage problems in a localized way with the use of biocontrols agents. Yellow sticky cards and weekly plant inspections help us to monitor insect populations, both good and bad, so we can determine what BCA is necessary and in which quantity.

Banker plants, such as pepper plants, are disseminated throughout the greenhouses, acting as “nests” for the BCA where they can multiply and live. This ensures that no insect, not even the good ones, remain on any of our plants.

Having pesticide free greenhouses is good for the plants that thrive best without chemical agents, for the people working there, and for the consumers who can be confident that they are not introducing any pesticides inside their homes.

For more information on Biological Control please view the following resources:

Government of British Columbia Forest Ministry guide to Biocontrol:  http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/hra/plants/biocontrol/what.htm

Government of Alberta Biocontrol Resource: http://www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/$department/deptdocs.nsf/all/agdex3445/$file/641-1.pdf?OpenElement

 

Cornell University Biocontrol Guide: http://www.biocontrol.entomology.cornell.edu/what.html