Biological Pest Control

Giving pests no quarter

By Curt Kipp — Posted March 11, 2011

So you run a nursery and you’re dealing with an invasive pest that made its way over from Asia. What to do? This clever and funny video featuring PacMan (and a special surprise cameo from another legendary Namco video game) explains the concept of biological control. Thanks to Suzanne Wainwright and Robin Rosetta for passing […]

Warm winter is a matter of degrees

By Curt Kipp — Posted February 18, 2010

It’s been a warm first couple months of 2010 in Western Oregon, no question. You might be surprised just how warm. Here’s some information from Robin Rosetta that puts it into perspective: With our warm spring, you might want to consider using degree days (heat unit accumulation) to monitor the phenological status of your crops […]

‘Grower to Garden Center: An Industry Seminar’ set for Jan. 20

By Curt Kipp — Posted January 4, 2010

“Grower to Garden Center: An Industry Seminar,” will be presented all day on Jan. 20 by the Greenhouse and Retail chapters of the Oregon Association of Nurseries. The proceedings will take place from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. (with a social hour afterwards) at Bauman Farms, 29898 Howell Prairie Road, Gervais, Ore. Topics will include grower and […]

Time for OktoberPest!

By Curt Kipp — Posted September 15, 2009

If you show up in lederhosen clutching a beer stein, it means you probably didn’t read the announcement very carefully. OktoberPest is a yearly series of pest management workshops held every October at the North Willamette Research and Extension Center in Aurora, Ore, and the agenda (PDF) for 2009 is now available. The dates are […]

Better bugs

By Curt Kipp — Posted June 24, 2009

More and more growers see “good bugs” – the pest-killing predatory insects also known as biological control agents or natural enemies – as a good idea. Now, scientists are looking at ways to breed “good bugs” that live in the soil for a longer time, thereby providing greater and longer efficacy against nursery pests.

Of raptors and rodents

By Curt Kipp — Posted June 10, 2009

Are you having trouble with rodents? Here’s an idea. Farmers in Israel and other portions of the Middle East are using barn owls and kestrels as biological control. The BBC posted a story about it today.