Soil pests are currently getting more attention by government and farmers since these pests are not only invisible but also chemical control options are diminishing fast due to legislation changes. Chemical control in soil needs a larger amount of insecticides because of broad field application. It is mostly unknown where the pest in the field is accumulating and pesticides in soil break down faster than in aerial spraying to control above ground pests. Further leaching of insecticides to drinking water and rivers pollutes the environment and threatens our health but also health of other organisms.

Together with colleagues from Applied Research of Arable Crops in Lelystad (the Netherlands) we have performed an in-depth analysis of problems in open field crop production and pest problems. We have summarized alternatives for current pest control and formulated advice on alternative control strategies but also indicated gaps in knowledge where research should focus on in the next years. With our experience on monitoring and control we can assist in developing control strategies such as attracting/monitoring/mass-trapping of above ground stage of soil pests (e.g. click beetles, crane flies, vine weevils) to help manage the below ground pest stage (e.g. wireworms, leatherjackets, larvae of the vine weevil). We have recently developed a more-year strategy of monitoring and control of the cockchafer (Melolontha melolontha) which we are applying on nurseries in the Netherlands.

BugResearch Consultancy is currently involved in helping to write a detailed report on strategies to tackle several important pest such as wireworms, crane flies, and others in practice.

BugResearch Consultancy has further extensive knowledge on biocontrol with entomopathogenic nematodes (EPN) and fungi (EPF) and interactions existing between plant-roots and EPF. Several EPF manage to survive and grow in the rhizosphere of plant-roots thereby likely protecting them from insect attack. Research in this relation and the limitations but also possibilities of this durable control strategy are currently investigated.

We can provide information on the latest of this subject via presentations for individuals, groups or companies and provide directions of research.