"It is essential to start working on biological control practically from the transplanting date," says Julián Giner, Technical Director at Koppert in Almería, a company specializing in biological crop protection and natural pollination. "Beneficials need time to establish, reproduce, and build up populations capable of controlling pests."
"The worst thing you can do is wait until a pest is confirmed before starting biological control, by then you're already behind, and failure is guaranteed."
In Almería, the first greenhouse vegetable plantings begin mainly in summer, when temperatures are high and key pests such as thrips, whitefly, and spider mite find ideal conditions to develop rapidly. "So biological control must begin before the pest appears. Planning, greenhouse hygiene, plant health status, and the first releases are all decisive for the success of the season."
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Timing is the key.
Determining the right moment to introduce predators depends heavily on the crop and the transplanting date. The first introductions should be made when the crop and environmental conditions allow each species to establish. Doses are adjusted according to pest pressure, time of y...