Clever biological control methods and new targeted chemicals combine to make pest management more effective, but getting your team on board makes it even more successful.
Dan Foster, Sigler Site Manager and Product Line Manager, and Andrew Luxon, IPM Supervisor share the details of Four Star’s pest management process. As a grower of millions of young plants, Four Star produces healthy crops through consistent and effective pest management.
Changing technologies
Since joining Four Star more than 22 years ago, Dan Foster has seen a lot of changes in pest management techniques. “In my earlier years, we managed pests with chemicals that were a bit harsher than the ones today,” he recalls. “In the last 10 to 15 years, we also noticed that the efficacy of many products deteriorated. That’s when we started looking for new options and relying more heavily on biocontrol techniques.”
Andrew Luxon’s background involved the study of insect neurophysiology and understanding how chemicals affect them, so his work since joining Four Star three years ago has focused on coordinating the Integrated Pest Management (IPM) process. “Today’s new chemicals are far more targeted to specific aspects of insect biology, like Insect Growth Regulators,” he says. “These are targeted to specific life stages of certain bugs and are more fine-tuned. You need to have knowledge of the chemicals you are using and an understanding of how they work to use them effectively.”
Partner up for bio expertise
But having extensive knowledge of every chemical or biocontrol method isn’t necessary to be a successful grower with today’s control products, both Foster and Luxon point out.
“We have worked for some years with a good biocontrol supply company — that offers both training for our people and also on-site scouting help throughout the season,” says Foster. “When you work with a good supplier, you should not only get the product but also the service and support. They help us check crops to make sure that they’re making the right recommendations, and they can teach you a lot.”
Foster points out that the combination of using biocontrols with chemicals must be carefully balanced. “It’s not just about putting beneficial bugs in a greenhouse. There are so many things to consider – picking the right beneficial insects, time of year, how temperatures and environmental factors affect the crops, how beneficial insects are affected by certain chemicals, etc. This kind of plan is hard to develop on your own.”