PHOTO: Aplication of bacteria Bacillus thuringiensis in affected fields | Ocho Sur
Ocho Sur has adopted biological pest control, a new alternative to pesticides that uses natural predators and bacteria to combat infestations in our fields. This method has been so successful that we have completely eliminated the use of insecticides since January 2023!
We use two main methods of biological pest control: a bacteria called Bacillus thuringiensis, and a wasp called Ooencyrtus.
Application of Bacillus Thurigensis
This bacterium is toxic to a small number of host insects, which allows us to control infestations. Although this bacterium is considered harmless by the National Pesticide Information Center and Oxford University Press, we require our employees to be fully suited in protective gear while applying this bacterium. Before carrying out a treatment or application against pests, the first thing we do is evaluate the plots to apply the treatment in a targeted manner. In a plot there 16 quadrants with each quadrant covering 2 hectares. Within a plot, we count the pests to locate the area with the highest presence of pest insects. Once these particular areas are identified, we apply the product Bacillus Thuringiensis. We do these tests to ensure we don’t waste nor overapply this bacterium.
Application of Ooencyrtus
The Ooencyrtus wasp is a natural predator of a pest called Eupalamides. Eupalamides is a moth that damages palm trees, and by using Ooencyrtus, we can control this pest. We breed this wasp in our laboratory and manually apply it to the affected palms and areas.
PHOTO: Application of the Wasp Ooencyrtus | Ocho Sur
Adopting biological pest control is an example of Ocho Sur’s commitment to sustainable development. By finding and implementing new methods for agriculture, we can minimize our impact on the environment while achieving excellent results.
Related SDGs
