Glossary
Barriers
Physical obstacles used in pest control to prevent pests from reaching crops or other desired areas.
Example:
Installing a fence around a vegetable garden to keep out deer and rabbits is an example of using barriers for pest management.
Beneficial Insects
Insects that provide a service to humans, often by preying on or parasitizing agricultural pests, thus aiding in natural pest control.
Example:
Ladybugs, lacewings, and parasitic wasps are commonly used as beneficial insects in organic farming to reduce pest damage.
Biodiversity
The variety of life in an ecosystem, which, when increased in agricultural settings, can lead to more stable ecosystems and enhanced natural pest control.
Example:
A farm with diverse hedgerows and varied crops will likely have higher biodiversity, supporting more natural predators that keep pest populations in check.
Biological Control
A pest management method that involves introducing or enhancing natural enemies (predators, parasites, pathogens) to control pest populations.
Example:
Releasing parasitic wasps to lay eggs inside pest larvae, thereby killing them, is a classic example of biological control.
Chemical Control
The use of synthetic or natural chemical substances, such as pesticides, attractants, or repellents, to manage pest populations.
Example:
Applying a targeted insecticide to a specific area of a field to control a localized outbreak of armyworms is a form of chemical control.
Crop Rotation
The practice of growing different types of crops in the same area in sequenced seasons to improve soil health, optimize nutrient cycling, and disrupt pest life cycles.
Example:
A farmer might plant corn one year, then soybeans the next, and then wheat, to prevent specific pests from building up in the soil due to continuous planting of their preferred host, demonstrating effective crop rotation.
Cultural Control
Pest management techniques that involve modifying farming practices or the environment to make it less favorable for pests and more favorable for crops.
Example:
Adjusting planting times to avoid peak pest activity or removing crop residues after harvest are examples of cultural control methods.
Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
A holistic approach to pest control that combines various strategies to manage pest populations sustainably, minimizing environmental harm and human health risks.
Example:
A farmer using IPM might release beneficial insects, rotate crops, and only apply targeted pesticides when absolutely necessary, rather than routinely spraying.
Intercropping
The agricultural practice of growing two or more crops simultaneously in the same field, often to enhance biodiversity, suppress weeds, and confuse pests.
Example:
Planting marigolds alongside tomato plants can deter nematodes and other pests, showcasing the benefits of intercropping.
Natural Predators
Organisms that hunt and consume other organisms (pests) as a food source, helping to control pest populations naturally.
Example:
Introducing ladybugs to a garden to control an aphid infestation is an example of using natural predators.
Physical Control
A pest management method that uses physical barriers, traps, or direct removal to prevent or reduce pest access and populations.
Example:
Covering fruit trees with fine mesh netting to prevent birds and insects from damaging the fruit is an effective physical control method.
Sustainable Agriculture
Agricultural practices that aim to meet society's food and textile needs in the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs, often incorporating environmental protection and economic viability.
Example:
Implementing sustainable agriculture practices like no-till farming and cover cropping helps maintain soil health and reduce erosion for long-term productivity.
Synthetic Chemicals
Man-made chemical compounds, often used as pesticides, attractants, or repellents, designed to control pest populations.
Example:
Many conventional insecticides used in large-scale agriculture are synthetic chemicals developed in laboratories.