Integrated Pest Management (IPM) - Spray Less, Earn More
Chemical pesticides should be the last resort, not the first. IPM reduces cost and protects beneficial insects:
- Monitor first: Use pheromone traps and scout your field weekly. Spray only when pests cross the economic threshold.
- Cultural control: Crop rotation, timely sowing, resistant varieties and field sanitation prevent many pest build-ups.
- Biological control: Neem-based products, Trichoderma, and natural predators (ladybirds) reduce chemical need.
- Rotate chemicals: Alternate between different chemical groups to prevent pests developing resistance.