Handy Tips

Handy Tips and Advice For Biological Pest Control

Successful biological pest control is easy if you follow a few simple guidelines:

• Correctly identify the pest, as biological controls are specific to the pest they deal with.
• Introduce biological controls as soon as the first pests are seen, temperatures are warm enough and light levels are suitable.
• Keep pest populations down by using soft soap if temperatures are too low to introduce biological controls.
• Use biological controls according to the instructions. With the exception of Nematodes,which can be kept in a fridge at 5C for a short time, biological controls should be used on the day of receipt.
• Remember to be patient, biological controls must establish themselves and build up in numbers before they start to reduce the pest population. This may take a few weeks.
• DO NOT spray the area to be treated with persistent pesticides, chemicals leave residues which can harm biological controls! As a general rule stop using Derris 1-2 weeks before, Pyrethrum 4 days before and soft soap insecticides 1 day before releasing biological controls. If you are unsure - send us an e-mail to help@defenders.co.uk.