PEST CONTROL

In the late ‘80s and early ‘90s, most growers preferred the chemical method of pest control. Over the last few years, however, repercussion pests have begun to appear, which has created a chemical treadmill. As one kind of pest was eliminated, those traditionally controlled by that particular pest began to thrive, creating more havoc than ever before.

This has resulted in a swing towards Integrated Pest Management, or IPM, a method that is proving very successful. Growers have come to realise that light is not our only natural resource. Natural insects are also free and the industry has become more reliant on those that occur naturally or are specially grown in Sundays River Citrus Company’s very own insectaria for this purpose and are then released onto farms.

Thanks to this method, the area is able to adhere to demand from many of its international markets to use only natural methods of pest control.