Biological Methods to Control Plant Pests and Diseases

Biological methods to control plant pests and diseases are very common. However, they are often misunderstood by most people as being “natural.” They do not pass the same inspection as regular methods. This is due to the fact that the techniques used for these methods are different than regular methods. This has led to the perception that all methods are the same and therefore are acceptable.

1. Herbicides and Pesticides

The fact is that all of the pesticides and herbicides found in the world can be classified as biological methods. The only difference is that they have been modified to specifically target pests. These pesticides and herbicides are known as Bt and GRAS. As a result, they have the ability to destroy pests without the need for any additional means. In fact, some of the more popular pesticides in the world have been modified through biotechnology to be more effective at killing pests resistant to the chemical.

2. Different Methods

Some of the methods that fall under this category include:

2.1 Inoculating the Crops with Insecticides

It has to be done before harvest, using fertilizers and other nutrients that attract the beneficial insects, and introducing beneficial predators to help control the pests and prevent them from causing harm to the crops.

2.2 Chemical Luring

Chemical luring is a form of Inoculation where an insect is lured into an area where the insecticide is present. This is done through applying pesticides and other compounds that attract the insects. The process of entrapment involves applying harmful chemicals to a certain area where the natural inhabitants (antennas) gather to feed on the insects that are in that area.

3. Biological Repellents

One of the biological methods to control plant pests and diseases is using Biological repellents that use plants and certain naturally occurring minerals to attract insects that want to eat them. They are most effective in moist and cool environments such as around ponds and water features. This allows the natural inhabitants of these areas to survive without predators, protecting the crops from insects.

4. Planting Different Plants to Deter Insects

Biological control of plant pests includes planting barriers, planting different types of berries, and planting mint to deter insects. Bitter melon can also be used in the same manner as mint. Mint is not only effective against insects, it also attracts birds and other wildlife that will take care of the insects that are already on the plant. Other plants such as eucalyptus, oleander, cacti and ferns can be planted as barriers to insects that destroy crops.

5. Mothballs and Baits

Mothballs and baits are a good way of preventing insects from destroying your plants. Baits are placed around the plant to attract a specific type of insect, such as ladybugs, lacewings or beetles. Ladybugs will be drawn to the baits and will be killed by them. Larvae of these and other insects that are natural prey on the plant are killed by the baits as well. Mothballs however, can attract other insects and are therefore not recommended for use if you want to keep insects away from your crop.

6. Wrapping Nets

Other natural ways of deterring insects include wrapping nets over the plant and flapping it open to stop insects flying in. Planting grass and small trees around the perimeter of the plant can attract specific insects. These natural ways can be combined with chemical sprays to prevent further damage to the plant. However, you do need to make sure these insects cannot jump. This could prove difficult if you live in a windy area. If this is the case, it is best to place netting over the grass or trees to deter flying insects.

7. Economical and Safe for Plants

Biological controls for these and other garden diseases are not only economical, but are also healthier for your plants. These methods reduce the risk of damage to the environment and to the health of people using them. They have been used in the past to control various pests, but today more advanced techniques have been developed. Today’s farmers rely on these biological solutions more than they do chemicals.

8. Other Benefits

There are many different advantages to using these biological methods to control plant pests and diseases. The main advantage of using these is that they are very economical. They do not need to be repeatedly sprayed like the way pesticides are, and they do not require the use of hazardous chemicals. They are safe for use on most vegetables and fruits. Also, they will not affect the quality of the products in any way.

9. Conclusion

If you really want to save money and protect the environment, then you should definitely biological methods to control plant pests and diseases. There are many types of fungi that can help you protect your crops from pests and diseases. The benefits of using these natural methods are that they save time and money. They also do not have side effects.