Industry Spotlight: Fighting Pests With Pests

When the battlefield of pest management is on your home soil, the last thing you want to do is wage a war that will create even greater damage. Through an enemy-of-my-enemy tactic that embraces nature, Rainier Fruit Company ensures it not only wins the battle of the pests but improves upon the land it is fighting for.

Mark Zirkle,

President, Rainier Fruit company

“Farming is a constant battle against pests and the damage they inflict on our crops. Regenerative farming represents a shift from reliance on chemical tools in managing pests to a variety of methods that not only reduce our impact, but actually regenerate the ecosystem where we farm. Integrated pest management changes the fight against pests from an all-out war into cooperation with the natural balance of nature. The result is healthier soils, more biodiversity, and better-quality fruit.”

Teah Smith,

Entomologist, Rainier Fruit company

“A key tactic within integrated pest management is augmentative biocontrol, which is the process of keeping pest populations below orchard-damaging thresholds through releases of ladybugs, lacewings, and other insects to prey on our target pests. The main objective of augmentative biocontrol is to increase native populations of natural enemies through releases by hand or even by drone. This helps restore the natural balance and decreases the need for other inputs, while increasing fruit quality by reducing pest damage. To support both natural enemies and pollinators alike, we have planted a diverse floral habitat near the orchard that blooms all season to provide a safe refuge and a diverse food supply to keep them happy and healthy.”