Pest Insects

Problems with Using Pesticides

Beneficial Bugs

Traditional pesticides can kill off beneficial insects, including those that pollinate our food to the predators that have historically kept pest populations in check, before we started indiscriminately killing everything in an entire field or garden over many generations.

Different Impacts at Different Life Stages

Some "pest" species only pose a threat to crops and garden plants during specific stages of their life cycles. For example butterflies and moths can do serious damage to plants while they are still caterpillars, but as adults they can benefit our plants and our food security.

Alternatives to Pesticides

Natural Allies - Biocontrol

"Biological control is the beneficial action of parasites, pathogens, and predators in managing pests and their damage. Biocontrol provided by these living organisms, collectively called “natural enemies,” is especially important for reducing the numbers of pest insects and mites. Use of natural enemies for biological control of rangeland and wildland weeds (e.g., Klamath weed, St. Johnswort) is also effective. Plant pathogens, nematodes, and vertebrates also have many natural enemies, but this biological control is often harder to recognize, less well understood, and/or more difficult to manage. Conservation, augmentation, and classical biological control are tactics for harnessing natural enemies’ benefits." - Guide: Biological Control and Natural Enemies of Invertebrates

Amphibians

Beetle Banks

"Beetle banks are linear strips of perennial native bunch grasses that provide overwintering shelter for predatory ground beetles, spiders, and other beneficial invertebrates. These grassy strips are sometimes interplanted with native wildflowers to increase plant diversity and support pollinators and other beneficial insects that consume pollen and/or nectar. Beetle banks are planted within or adjacent to crop fields to promote movement of predators into the crops. When beetle banks are present on farms, natural predators have more opportunities to colonize crop fields and regulate crop pests. 

The use of beetle banks as a conservation practice originated in Great Britain, where they are now a common method to regulate grain pests such as aphids and blossom midges. In the United States, beetle banks are increasingly being adopted in the Pacific Northwest, Upper Midwest, and elsewhere, in a wide variety of cropping systems including large-scale grain crops and vegetable production. Overall, beetle banks are a great tool to support beneficial insects, pollinators, and other wildlife on farms, especially when existing shelter and floral resources are limited.

This fact sheet provides information on planning, locating, and installing beetle banks in the Upper Midwest, including recommended grasses and flowers that can be planted." - Beetle Banks for Beneficial Insects

Spiders

"Your home can be a haven for all kinds of insects like ants, roaches, flies, and more. Spiders make a meal of these pests, so your home doesn’t become overrun. Spiders also eat each other, which keeps their population in check, as well. Long-legged cellar spiders are even known to attack black widow spiders, which are dangerous to humans."

"In the fields, there’s a wide variety of pests like aphids and caterpillars. Spiders eat these insects, keeping the harvests healthy. According to Norman Platnick, a spider expert from the American Museum of Natural History, spiders prevent all our crops from being “consumed.” These creatures could also help us develop better, safer pesticides. Vestaron, a biotech company, has spent years developing a “biopesticide” based on funnel-web venom."

"Rather than rely on chemicals for pest control, let spiders feast on moths, mites, aphids, weevils, and other bugs. Other creatures (like ladybugs and birds) also eat garden pests, but studies indicate that spiders are the best hunters." - Open Education Online: 10 Reasons Why Spiders are Important

Bats

Birds

Even some species birds that don't normally bother with insects, will specifically hunt them and feed them to their chicks, since the insects are high in protein and not as difficult to break down as the nuts and seeds they will eventually eat in adulthood. 

Plants

Neem oil is a famous and popular choice, but did you know some very common plants have impressive bug-warding abilities?

Insect Netting

Insect netting can keep out more than just bugs, it can help deter birds and other larger animals too. Netting and other equipment can be reused over and over, making this a particularly eco-friendly choice if you want to avoid chemicals and grow produce every year.

Smelly Solutions

Smell is a vital sense for many species, and can influence their behavior. Deer and predator urine have long been used to attract or deter certain species. 

In the video to the right, we learn about new research exploring the option of spraying fields with ladybird beetle smell, which has been shown to decrease aphid populations in fields. Also interesting is that the insects remaining in the treated fields produce less offspring while the ladybird smell is present.

11:34 minute video "Ladybugs aren’t just cute nursery rhyme stars. Beneath the charming spots and vibrant colors lie killer instincts. They’re effective predators and sometime agricultural allies in their hunger for plant pests like aphids. Entomologist Sara Hermann, Ph.D. is investigating how ladybugs’ “perfume”—the chemical cocktail that makes up their odor—might even become a tool for sustainable agriculture."

Solutions by Bug Type

Wasps

Wasps pollinate flowers, and keep various problematic insect species in check.  

Deterrents 

Click the linked article to learn about staying safe with wasps around, discouraging them from moving in, and encouraging them to move out if they have already decided to be your neighbor.

Resources

International

Africa

Kenya