Biological Pest Control

Biological pest control is a double edged sword. Biological controls can be an environmental disaster, or they can be a safe and effective alternative to other methods that might present other problems. The pivot point on this issue is the point of origin of the biological agent.

This is easy to illustrate in the case of exotic vegetation. When invasive exotic vegetation invades an area, it’s natural predators normally don’t come along for the ride. The plant was not invasive in it’s natural habitat, probably as a result of those predators, and it’s natural habitat. Once the plant migrates to a fertile region, with long growing seasons, and other advantages, it will thrive in that area. One method for dealing with this problem is by introducing it’s natural predators. The problem with this method is that we now have 2 non native biological life forms in the region. It is not likely, but is possible, that the biological pest control, can itself, become a pest problem.

The safe method is to encourage native predators to take care of the problem. In the case of problematic insects, birds and bats can be encouraged by providing shelter and meeting their other needs. This is the best method of biological pest control.