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Gardener's Path
  • Home
  • How To
    • Animals and Wildlife
    • Beginners
    • Build Your Soil
    • Containers
    • Design
    • Diseases and Pests
    • Greenhouses and Coldframes
    • Indoor Gardening
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    • Organic Gardening
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    • Pruning, Weeding, and Maintenance
    • The Shade
  • Gear Guides
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    • Outdoor Furniture
    • Yard Art
  • Plants
    • Flowers
    • Berries and Brambles
    • Cacti and Succulents
    • Houseplants
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    • Foliage
    • Fruit Trees
    • General Plant Guides
    • Grasses, Rushes, and Sedges
    • Landscape Trees
    • Nut Trees
    • Woody Shrubs
    • Vegetables
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Biological Controls

Biological control is a component of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) where pests such as insects, mites, weeds, and bacterial and fungal based plant diseases are controlled using other organisms.

It utilizes natural behaviors such as predation, parasitism, herbivory, the production of antibiotics, the stimulation of natural plant defenses (localized or systematic), or other mechanisms to achieve prevention or control of pests and diseases.

Controlling Pathogens With Organic Biocontrol Agent Bacillus amyloliquefaciens

Categories Organic Gardening Tags Biofungicides, Biological Controls
Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria growing in nodules on a pea root.

Bacillus amyloliquefaciens colonizes plant roots and stimulates plants to both grow and to activate their immune systems, resulting in resistance to pathogens. These bacteria also outcompete other microbes and inhibit both bacterial and fungal plant pathogens. Read on to learn more about this biocontrol agent.

How to use Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) to Control Insect Pests

Categories Organic Gardening Tags Biological Controls, Biopesticides
A pump sprayer is being used in a backyard setting to apply Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) to control insect pests.

Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) is a microbial insecticide that is highly specific for certain kinds of insects and safe against people and non-target animals. Certain strains control caterpillars, mosquitoes, black flies, and a few kinds of beetles. Read on to learn how to use this novel but natural insecticide.

Controlling Plant Pathogens With the Biofungicide Bacillus subtilis

Categories Organic Gardening Tags Biofungicides, Biological Controls
Close up of a graphic in green showing a microscopic view of the biofungicide bacillus subtilis.

Bacillus subtilis can control a range of fungal and bacterial pathogens in the soil and on leaves. It directly inhibits other microbes and also stimulates the plants to control pathogens using their own natural resistance mechanisms. Read on to learn more about these versatile bacteria.

Trichoderma Improves Plant Growth and Kills Fungal Pathogens

Categories Organic Gardening Tags Biofungicides, Biological Controls
A micro view showing light green Trichoderma Fungi.

Trichoderma harzianum T-22 is a highly developed fungal strain that effectively controls a number of fungal pathogens of plants. This fungus colonizes plant roots and does not affect other beneficial microbes like mycorrhizae or Rhizobium. Read on to learn more about this fascinating organism now on Gardener’s Path.

How to Use Streptomyces lydicus to Control Fungal Plant Diseases

Categories Organic Gardening Tags Biofungicides, Biological Controls
A microscopic vie of the Streptomyces bacteria.

The bacteria Streptomyces lydicus colonize plant roots and protect them against fungi and bacteria that cause disease. They can also be sprayed on plant leaves to control foliar pathogens. These bacteria are safe for people and beneficial insects. Read on to learn how they work and how to use them in your garden.

Use Beneficial Nematodes to Reduce Bad Bugs in Your Garden

Categories Diseases and Pests, Organic Gardening Tags Beneficial Organisms, Biological Controls
Top down view of various beneficial nematodes view through a microscope.

Beneficial nematodes are microscopic parasitic roundworms that control soilborne insects in their larval and nymph stages. They introduce bacteria that kills their insect hosts, providing a welcome space to nurture their young. Whoops! Not a very welcome guest! Read on to learn how to use them to combat garden pests.

23 Beneficial Insects and Other Creepy Crawlies That Your Garden Will Love

Categories Diseases and Pests, Organic Gardening Tags Beneficial Organisms, Biological Controls
Beneficial Insects Cover | GardenersPath.com

Did you know that not all insects are pests? Many beneficial varieties may already be living in your gardens, helping to control populations of bugs that enjoy feasting on veggies, herbs, and flowers. Read on to discover who your friends are, and how to encourage them to work and thrive in your yard.

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