Special features
The future evolution of pest control
Organized pest control has a long history that dates to 4000 BC when the first ever pest control solution – sulphur – was used in ancient Sumer to keep insects away from crops. Since then, pest control has seen steady progress, from botanical products used as fungicides for seed treatments in China, to professional “rat-catchers” […]
Using pesticides in amenity areas
Using pesticides in amenity areas such as parks, golf courses and other areas open to the public has to conform to the EU regulations in a similar manner to protecting crops on farms. The main difference is that there are a diverse range of spray targets which frequently have to be treated using manually carried […]
Managing the problem of leatherjacket at UK airports
UK airports recently faced an issue due to the removal of a chemical, or to be precise the lack of knowledge regarding its avail- ability. The application of European EC Regulation 2009/128/EC, applied by the UK, led to the nationwide withdrawal of Chlorpyrifos. However, since the 1960’s chlorpyrifos had helped in the control of larvae […]
Barriers to the adoption of GM crops
The use of genetic engineering techniques in agriculture and food production is seen as an exciting and valuable development by many. They welcome the improvements in production efficiency that they bring to farmers and the enhanced nutritional value that can benefit consumers. Others however, have objected strongly, raising environmental, food safety, and ethical concerns. A […]
Improved monitoring and potential control for the Asian Tiger mosquito
Aedes albopictus, also known as the Asian tiger mosquito, flourishes in a variety of habitats including residential and agricultural areas. It is present on 6 of the world’s 7 continents and is a competent vector of at least 22 different arboviruses including all 4 serotypes of dengue. Current control efforts for Aedes albopictus include source […]
Phlebotomine Sandflies and the control of Leishmaniasis
The disease leishmaniasis has come again into prominence with renewed efforts in India to control the insect vectors of the disease. Many soldiers were affected by the disease during the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. The most common form of the disease is Cutaneous Leishmaniasis, which causes an open sore at the bite sites, which […]
Company Profile…BioGenius – anything but nine to five
We are looking for wasp colonies with which to test insecticides, can you perhaps help us? On the campus of the Technology Park in Bergisch Gladbach near Cologne, is the new specialist company BioGenius, which has been established to research, develop and test biocidal products. The products tested can be insecticides, such as in the […]
Natural crop trait enhancement with microbial teams
In a world that is facing rapid population growth, global climate volatility, and increasing environmental damage, revolutionary crop protection methods and production models are an urgent necessity. In recent years, microbial solutions have garnered much interest and research for this purpose. Several microbial products have proven effective for protecting crops and increasing yields, thereby adding […]
