When you practise integrated pest management (IPM) in your fields, it does not mean you can never perform the occasional chemical control.
IPM is a compromise between using the natural enemies of pests and choosing chemicals that are safer for the beneficial insects. Chemicals can be used to prevent a pest from inflicting economic damage to a crop.
When contemplating the adoption of IPM, you need to examine your crops with a different mindset. It requires investigating any beneficial insects that may appear on your plants. You can even purchase them.
Use the Internet and other sources to find out how to recognise these insects and learn about their reproductive rates and the requirements for them to thrive.
As a boy, I was already interested in insects, and I enjoyed receiving books on the subject from family members as birthday and Christmas presents.
This story is from the Farmer's Weekly 8 November 2024 edition of Farmer's Weekly.
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This story is from the Farmer's Weekly 8 November 2024 edition of Farmer's Weekly.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
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