Making the Most of your IPM Programs

    You found out that you have an insect infestation in your crop, and identified the causal agent. What comes next in deciding how to handle it?

1.       You need to consider the life stage of the target pest. Biological controls are skilled at targeting pests, but this can be restricted to certain stages of the life cycle. Those that are specialized at targeting larvae are not going to be able to knock back a population that is mostly comprised of eggs or adults. While interruption of the life cycle is important for combatting pest outbreaks, you won't necessarily limit the feeding damage that is to come as a result of the current population. 
2.       The life stage of the pest is not the only thing to consider. If you are relying on insects to control your pest population, you need to consider the life stage of the biological you are wanting to use. Releasing eggs compared to releasing larvae can result in different levels of control, establishment and active period in the crop. 
3.       Life stage, life stage, life stage! Where is the crop at in terms of its production cycle? Some biologicals are best applied in the early stages compared to the later ones. For example, releasing an agent that is going to lay eggs that hatch and congregate around the flowers is going to render your product unusable. 
4.       What are the growing conditions in the production space? Similar to plants, diseases and insect pests, biological interventions are going to have an optimum set of conditions to maximize performance. This is especially important when you are growing at lower/higher temperatures and abnormal humidity levels. Some biologicals are going to operate better at lower temperatures ( ex. 10C) compared to others, and you don't want to waste your time repeat testing an agent that is not going to thrive in that particular setting.

      Now that we have decided which biological control agents we want to use, there are a few other things to keep in mind. 

1.       How healthy are the predators that I've ordered? It is important to check the viability of your biological control agents upon receiving them from the insectary. There can be issues with rearing, storage/shipping etc, which can result in sub-optimal pest management. By implementing these health checks before releasing into the crop, you can ensure that you are getting the best quality product and setting your IPM program up for success
2.       It is ideal that you are always releasing fresh biological agents. By storing them for long periods of thime, you are running the risk that they will parasitize each other in their storage container. You could also be reducing the activity of the agents, and will need to spend more money in the long run. By purchasing the amount that you will release each time around, you are one step closer to maximizing the effectiveness of your agent. 
3.       Are the agents I've ordered compatible with each other? While it is likely that you will get some overlap of introduced biological control agents targeting each other, you want to make sure that is not the norm
4.       Are the agents I've ordered compatible with the spray activities happening in the grow room? Oil sprays that are used to suppress insects and disease are not always selective when it comes to drowning out pests.

   Maximizing success and implementing a successful IPM strategy can be a long process, but  taking these things into consideration should help get things started. Preventative pest management strategies are crucial in creating and maintaining a healthy and productive grow space, and there is no time like the present to dive in and re-evaluate your current strategy! 

      Posted by: Talia Plaskett

Proper Release of Biological Control Agents

Biological control is a key part of managing pest populations in cannabis production. While it is extremely important to conduct regular scouting and know the appropriate control methods to tackle your target pest populations it does not guarantee a successful biological control program.

It is important to check the quality of the product you are receiving from the insectary: 

• Are the biologicals alive? 
• Are they of good quality and form? 
• Were they stored and shipped properly? 

There are countless stories of producers who received product that was sub-optimal, and their IPM programs suffered as a result. By checking the quality of every shipment you receive from your insectary, you are one step closer to a successful biological control program. This does not guarantee that the product will be high quality, but you will be able to salvage the situation. Contact the insectary, voice your concerns, and be prepared to put in another order of biologicals. The alternative? Vast amounts of time and money spent on a program that is not working effectively, and a crop infested with pests.

Now that you know that your biologicals are in good form, it is time to release them! Knowing where in the crop to place them, how to properly store them, and the best way to handle the insect housing, are all important to maximize pest control. OMAFRA and the team at Vineland Research and Innovation Centre got together to talk about the proper release of biological controls. Click the following link to watch the video and see how your practices hold up!

Posted by: Talia Plaskett