| Step 1: Finding a Beneficial Insect Supplier.
Where to look?
Step 2: Ask The Supplier Questions
Questions to ask suppliers
about quality control practices and issues
-
Do they
provide consulting services to set up a program prior to selling
you beneficials?
- Will they
recommend a consultant in your area to assist with this process?
- Does the
company provide written literature prior to the arrival of product so
preparations can be made if necessary?
- Do they
ship overnight in insulated containers?
- What is
company policy on product that arrives late?
Technical questions that should be asked between buyer and
supplier
-
Where are
the biologicals going? Just like plants, insects cannot survive in all
conditions.
-
Temperature
highs and lows? Temperature affects life cycle development.
- Humidity
level? Humidity makes a difference with life cycle development.
- Pest
being targeted? There are many species of pest insects, you need to know
what pest you are dealing with specifically. Predators and parasites can
be host specific
- Crop?
Different plants have different pest complexes.
- Length of
crop cycle? Short term crops may not be cost effective.
- Type of
production? Greenhouse, field, hydroponic, or Interiorscape, landscape?
- Pest
population levels? Need to do an initial knocked down before getting
started?
-
Irrigation? Different irrigation schedules and methods can call for
different release methods.
- Size of
area to treat. Different beneficials have different release rates. There
are many variables here. Let the supplier, after hearing about your
operation, develop rates for you.
- Chemicals
that have been used on crop? #1 killer of biological programs, most
pesticides are not that selective: their residual can kill many beneficial
insects and mites
|
