IPM Integrated Pest Management
WHAT WE DO
What is IPM?
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is focused on the long-term prevention of crop damage from pests and diseases by combining a structured combination of tactics including cultural practices, selection of resistant cultivars, manipulation of habitat and biological control.
Our elite team of IPM professionals encourage the use of chemical control measures only when absolutely needed and according to established guidelines. When applications are made, the goal is the removal of only the target organisms by avoiding the use of broad-spectrum insecticides. Human health, nontarget organisms, the environment and other factors are used when pest control measures are selected and applied.
The tactics used in IPM can be illustrated best with the IPM Pyramid. This icon shows the order in which control measures should be taken.
WhAT WE PROVIDE
What Is BioControl?
Definition
The use of a population of one organism to reduce the population of another invading organism.
Biological Control is the use of living natural enemies for the control of plant pests. It is an action taken by people using enemies or antagonistic organisms to kill or disrupt the feeding of plant parasites. These beneficial organisms may be predators, parasites, parasitoids, pathogens, or competitors of the target pest. The efficacy of a biocontrol program hinges upon prevention, and relies on having cultural and physical controls in place. Biological Control is another tool in the toolbox of IPM. It is not intended to replace or add a shortcut to the IPM approach.
our ipm professionals
Meet the Team
Kelly Vance
Director of Business Development
Kelly joined Beneficial Insectary in 2016 after a lifelong career in pest management. His experience includes household, landscape, turf and greenhouse IPM. Kelly serves as the Technical Lead for the IPM Team and oversees the activity of the Specialists, works closely with distributors and allied industry companies and contributes to supporting literature and other training materials.
Jose Morales
US Sales Manager
José Morales joined Biobest in January 2017 as the Tomato Specialist where he worked with growers and IPM staff by ensuring the right products were used effectively at the right time. In January 2020 he progressed to Regional Sales Manager – Southwest and relocated to Los Angeles, CA. from Denver, CO. On September 1, 2022, he and the southwest team merged over to Beneficial Insectary. He is now evolving to Sales Manager USA, where he is excited to continue the BI mission to develop further use of biological controls for Better Pest Management in both indoor and outdoor crops. During his time with Biobest José pursued his M.B.A. while traveling and serving his customers, and after two and half years he completed the program from Colorado State University in December 2021
Cody Seals
US Product Manager
Cody Seals first began his journey into the world of plant pests and diseases while pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Plant and Soil Science from Middle Tennessee State University. He worked for University of Tennessee’s extension program in conjunction with USDA-APHIS on the state CAPS program, and upon completion of his bachelor’s degree in Entomology and Plant Pathology from University of Tennessee, he was offered an opportunity to attend their master’s program for entomology and plant pathology. With a focus on determining the ecology of cannabis produced in the Southeast, once he completed his master’s degree he remained in the cannabis space and began working with farmers across the southeast to navigate this new crop. He joined the Beneficial Insectary team in 2022 as U.S. Product Manager.
Erik Van Der Sluys
IPM Specialist
While working on a degree in Ecological Systems, Erik worked as a farm manager of a small two acre location in Seattle. After graduation, he got a job as a grower for a medicinal cannabis facility in Seattle. He then transferred to an ornamentals greenhouse in the Willamette Valley for a few years, where he gained the majority of his working knowledge using natural predators for pest management. Now working with the solutions, he provides to his clients all over the country.
Saul Alba
IPM Specialist
Saul began his agriculture work in vineyard and winery operations on the Central California coast. After deciding to focus his career on crop protection he moved north where he managed IPM programs at Monterey Mushroom Company and Jacobs Farm/Del Cabo. This work led to a position as IPM Manager at Harborside Farms where he directed their bio-intensive greenhouse cannabis IPM program.
Abbie Rosenthal
IPM Technical Specialist
Abbie has a degree in Agricultural Science. After previously working with Biobest, she has followed her passion in the agriculture industry while joining us at Beneficial Insectary. She continues to help farmers and ranchers grow a more sustainable crop by utilizing natural resources. Abbie has been working in biocontrol for 10 years, and is continuing to expand her knowledge of the industry by furthering her education. She’s here to help find solutions!
Cody Mitchem
IPM Specialist
Cody’s journey into IPM started in 2016 as a consulting arborist in Sarasota, FL. From that role he learned the basics of IPM and plant health. In 2019 he moved to Illinois, where he worked for two years
as an IPM manager. He maintained an insectary to produce their own biologicals on site. While in Illinois he developed IPM programs for an 80+ acre hemp production and ornamental production. After leaving Illinois, he went to Costa Farms in Miami, FL. At Costa he developed IPM programs for all propagation and hibiscus stock. With an emphasis on using biologicals over chemicals, he developed an insectary to produce beneficials. He also combined conventional insecticides to develop an IPM program that used multiple methods of prevention.
WHERE WE SERVE
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