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Massachusetts
Earthbarrier
Christopher Kenyon, Founder, CEO
157 Cambridge St
Cambridge MA 02141
8142153013
[email protected]
http://earthbarrier.com
Services/Products/IPM Description
Range of Products and Services
Earthbarrier specializes in the consultation, planning, and application of biological control agents.
Services/Products Categories
Happy to work with customers for any scale and setting.
- Golf course
- Structural
- Landscape
- Commercial
- Residential
- School
Definition of Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
We abide by the Food and Agricultural Organization's definition of integrated pest management (IPM). That is -- "the careful consideration of all available pest control techniques and subsequent integration of appropriate measures that discourage the development of pest populations. It combines biological, chemical, physical and crop specific (cultural) management strategies and practices to grow healthy crops and minimize the use of pesticides, reducing or minimizing risks posed by pesticides to human health and the environment for sustainable pest management." We specialize in a subset of IPM -- biological control.
How Pest Problems Are Identified
Yes.
Tools, Practices, and Materials Used/Sold
Practices Used to Prevent or Control Pests
Primarily: - Introduction of beneficial insects to control pest populations. This includes but is not limited to: * the introduction of ladybugs and lacewings, to control aphid populations, * the use of predatory mites to manage spider mite infestations, * the employment of parasitic wasps for controlling caterpillar and other pest larvae. - Application of microbial products, including beneficial bacteria, nematodes, and fungi, to target specific pests without harming beneficial insects. This includes but is not limited to: * the deployment beneficial bacteria, such as Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) to treat mosquito infestations, * the release of beneficial nematodes, such as Steinernema feltiae to parasitize pest larvae and promote soil health, * the introduction of beneficial fungi, such as Trichoderma harzianum, to control pathogenic fungi and promote root health. - The implementation of pheromone traps largely toward the monitoring of pest populations. Secondarily: - Cultivation of plant varieties that attract beneficial insects. - Regular monitoring to detect pest presence and assess the need for biological control measures. - Habitat modification to encourage natural predators and reduce pest breeding sites. - Maintenance of sanitation practices to remove potential breeding grounds for pests, such as decaying plant material or standing water.
Biological Controls Used?
Yes.
Borates Used?
No.
Synthetic Chemicals Used?
No.
Top Ten Pesticides Used/Sold/Recommended
Orius insidiosus, Chrysoperla carnea, Aphelinus abdominalis, Phytoseiulus persimilis, Neoseiulus californicus, Neoseiulus cucumeris, Stratiolaelaps scimitus, Steinernema feltiae, Isarea fumosoroseus, Beauveria bassiana
How Much Pesticide Used Per Year, and How Applied?
This varies by scenario, but an easily measured example is the application of Isarea fumosoroseus, an entomopathogenic fungi. Application can vary depending on crop density and pest infestation level, but a general rule of thumb is applying the fungi to moist or pre-irrigated soil with a foliar spray at 1-2 lbs. fungal substrate per acre of soil.
Uses Physical or Mechanical Controls?
Biological management.
Lawn Care
Type of Fertilizers Used/Sold/Recommended
NA
Evaluation
How Effectiveness of Pest Management Systems is Evaluated
Pest monitoring before and after treatments at various timepoints.
References
The following are a few key scientific studies that demonstrate the exceptional effect of biological control. Fournier, V., and J. Brodeur. “Dose-Response Susceptibility of Pest Aphids (Homoptera: Aphididae) and Their Control on Hydroponically Grown Lettuce with the Entomopathogenic Fungus Verticillium Lecanii, Azadirachtin, and Insecticidal Soap.” Environmental Entomology 29, no. 3 (June 1, 2000): 568–78. https://doi.org/10.1603/0046-225X-29.3.568. Gulzar, Sehrish, Waqas Wakil, and David I. Shapiro-Ilan. “Combined Effect of Entomopathogens against Thrips Tabaci Lindeman (Thysanoptera: Thripidae): Laboratory, Greenhouse and Field Trials.” Insects 12, no. 5 (May 16, 2021): 456. https://doi.org/10.3390/insects12050456. Zhang, Zhi-Qiang, and John P. Sanderson. “Twospotted Spider Mite (Acari: Tetranychidae) and Phytoseiulus Persimilis (Acari: Phytoseiidae) on Greenhouse Roses: Spatial Distribution and Predator Efficacy.” Journal of Economic Entomology 88, no. 2 (April 1, 1995): 352–57. https://doi.org/10.1093/jee/88.2.352. Batalla-Carrera, Laia, Ana Morton, David Shapiro-Ilan, Michael R Strand, and Fernando Garcia-Del-Pino. “Infectivity of Steinernema Carpocapsae and S. Feltiae to Larvae and Adults of the Hazelnut Weevil, Curculio Nucum: Differential Virulence and Entry Routes,” n.d.