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pests

11/24/2018 / By Edsel Cook

Many botanical extracts show promise as natural, alternative insecticides

Horn flies and stable flies are growing more resistant to commonly-used chemical pesticides. A government-supported study evaluated plant-based insecticides and insect repellents as alternative means of controlling the populations of these biting flies. Biting flies feed on the blood of cattle and other livestock. Not only do their painful bites and swarming numbers disrupt the […]

10/24/2018 / By Edsel Cook

Looking at alternative approaches to pest control

In response to the devastating huanglongbing disease sweeping through California’s citrus orchards, researchers are testing a biological control program. They are using two wasps from Asia that are natural enemies of the Asian citrus psyllid (Diaphorina citri), an invasive species of insect that spreads the bacteria responsible for the disease. The study was supported by the University of California Riverside. […]

09/14/2018 / By Rhonda Johansson

Cleanliness can prevent bugs as well as germs: Bed bugs love dirty laundry, study finds

Low-cost traveling has opened the doors to a lot of things, like bedbugs. So says Dr. William Hentley from the University of Sheffield’s Department of Animal and Plant Sciences and his team of researchers. His study, published in Scientific Reports, concluded that global bedbug dispersal has been facilitated by dirty laundry being left exposed in […]

09/07/2018 / By Rhonda Johansson

Moving away from chemicals: Consumer demand for cleaner food has researchers exploring plant-based extracts to protect against insects

The concept of achieving food independence is a lofty goal, but one which will not likely happen in the near future. It is evident that we still need to rely on big food manufacturers for our daily meals, even as we pray that what we put into our mouth is not laced with the various […]

08/23/2018 / By Michelle Simmons

Natural pest management: Peach farmers are reducing crop loss to stink bugs by planting grains to lure them away

Scientists from Auburn University in the U.S. found a way to manage pest naturally. They discovered that planting different grain crops attract pests away from the fruit, resulting to lesser crop loss. For the study, the research team analyzed six winter host crops and six summer host crops as possible trap crops or attractant crops for […]

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