What is biological control: benefits for sustainable farming

Biological control is the natural alternative to chemical pesticides, based on leveraging beneficial organisms to keep pests under control. In cannabis cultivation, this technique has become a key tool for protecting indoor and outdoor plants in a safe, sustainable, and effective way. More and more growers are turning to this strategy and to the product catalog for biological control in cannabis as a way to improve their harvests without compromising their health or the environment.

What is biological control?

Biological control is defined as the strategic use of living organisms—such as predators, parasitoids, pathogens, or even natural extracts and substances—to reduce and manage pest populations affecting crops. Unlike chemical control, which relies on synthetic molecules for immediate but often non-selective action, biological control focuses on the dynamic balance of ecosystems and the interactions between organisms, mimicking natural processes already occurring in the environment.

Within the framework of Integrated Pest Management (IPM), biological control plays a central and irreplaceable role, allowing growers to target harmful species without affecting beneficial ones. This keeps pest populations within acceptable thresholds without fully eradicating them, which in turn prevents ecosystem imbalance and delays or avoids the development of resistance. This sustainable strategy provides effective tools for growers, reducing dependency on traditional pesticides and promoting a healthier approach to agriculture that benefits both the environment and the end consumer.

Why is biological control necessary in cannabis cultivation?

The need for biological control in cannabis and other crops arises from several key factors:

• Reduced use of chemicals: Synthetic pesticides can leave harmful residues on buds, compromising product safety and flavor profile.
• Emerging pest threats: Globalization has introduced invasive species that are difficult to manage with traditional methods.
• Sustainability: Today’s consumers demand more eco-friendly products, including pesticide-free cannabis flowers.
• Long-term effectiveness: Chemical solutions often lead to resistance; beneficial organisms support a dynamic balance that helps prevent it.

Benefits of biological control in pest management

Biological control has become a reliable alternative to traditional chemical methods, offering effective pest suppression without compromising crop health or the surrounding environment. Its benefits support both human safety and the sustainability of the agricultural system, making it especially valuable for cannabis growers.

• Safe for people and pets: With no broad-spectrum synthetic chemicals involved, there’s minimal risk of toxic exposure in grow areas or homes.
• Eco-friendly and sustainable: Encourages biodiversity in the grow space, supporting pollinators and other beneficial species.
• Targeted pest control: Natural enemies act specifically on the pest species, reducing collateral damage to the crop or non-target organisms.
• Resistance prevention: Since these are living organisms or plant-based solutions, pests are far less likely to develop resistance over time.
• No chemical residues: Helps meet food safety standards and organic certifications, as it leaves little to no residue on the final product.
• Compatible with Integrated Pest Management (IPM): Can be combined with cultural practices, physical traps, or low-impact treatments to improve overall pest control efficiency.

These benefits make biological control a forward-thinking and strategic tool aligned with the goals of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and the sustainability demands of the 21st century. Organizations like the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) promote this approach as a core method to reduce chemical pesticide use without sacrificing crop yields, while the International Organisation for Biological Control (IOBC) highlights its ethical, economical, and environmentally friendly attributes in global plant protection programs.

Biological control techniques in cannabis

Biological control in cannabis cultivation can be applied through different methods depending on the type of pest and the growth stage. Each technique has its unique advantages and considerations, and understanding them helps growers implement more effective and sustainable pest control strategies.

By strategically combining these techniques, cannabis growers can maximize the effectiveness of biological control, maintain plant health, and reduce the need for chemical pesticides. Choosing the right method depends on the pest type, infestation level, and growing conditions—ensuring a sustainable and efficient management approach.

Types of biological pest control

There are different approaches to biological control, each suited to specific pests, growing environments, and cultivation goals. Understanding these categories helps implement more effective and sustainable cannabis pest management strategies, reducing chemical dependency and promoting biodiversity.

Classical biological control

Classical biological control involves introducing exotic natural enemies to target pests that lack native predators in the area. This method works best in controlled environments like greenhouses, where conditions and populations can be carefully monitored. Its main benefits include long-term pest suppression and significantly reduced reliance on chemical products.

One example is the Amblyseius swirskii predatory mite for controlling thrips and spider mites in cannabis. This mite feeds on pest eggs and larvae, establishing stable populations that provide ongoing natural pest regulation.

Augmentative biological control

Augmentative biological control consists of releasing large quantities of beneficial organisms to achieve a fast and targeted response. In cannabis cultivation, an example is the Phytoseiulus persimilis predatory mite, specialized in spider mite control. It consumes eggs, larvae, and adults of the pest, leading to immediate population reduction.

Benefits of augmentative control include quick results, making it ideal for severe pest outbreaks. However, since the effect is temporary, multiple releases may be required—raising labor and costs for the grower.

Conservation biological control

Conservation biological control focuses on protecting and encouraging natural enemies already present in the grow space. In cannabis, this can involve planting hedgerows or refuge areas, reducing harsh chemical applications, and creating conditions that support beneficial organisms’ survival.

This strategy helps maintain a balanced ecosystem, lowering pest pressure and minimizing the need for human intervention. Advantages include low cost, sustainability, and compatibility with organic farming practices. However, its success depends on the existing presence of natural enemies and proper habitat management.

Natural and applied biological control

Natural biological control occurs without human intervention, relying on the ecological balance of the environment, where predators, parasitoids, and microbes regulate pest populations. Applied biological control, on the other hand, involves active intervention by the grower, such as releasing beneficial insects or applying entomopathogenic fungi.

This approach combines natural prevention with targeted interventions that enhance biological control, reducing the need for chemicals. Its main advantages are flexibility and adaptability to various cultivation setups, though it requires technical knowledge and regular monitoring to ensure effectiveness.

Biological control agents

Biological agents are the key players in pest control and fall into several categories, each with specific mechanisms to manage pests without relying on chemical pesticides.

Predators

Predators are organisms that actively feed on pests and are essential in biological cannabis pest management. Ladybugs are among the most common, especially the Adalia aphid control species, highly effective against aphids and completely harmless to plants. These predator products can be released in a controlled way to establish beneficial populations that naturally and sustainably regulate pest activity, reducing the need for chemical sprays.

Parasitoids

Parasitoids are organisms that lay their eggs on or inside pests, killing them as they develop. A practical cannabis application is the Orius laevigatus parasitoid to control thrips. Their use provides highly specific pest suppression without harming other species in the grow environment—offering a safe and natural strategy for maintaining ecosystem balance.

Microbial pathogens

Microbial pathogens include bacteria, fungi, and viruses that naturally infect and kill pests. In cannabis, an example is the Entomite-M (Hypoaspis miles predatory mite), which effectively targets fungus gnat larvae, thrips, and other soil-dwelling pests. Though it works quietly, its ongoing effectiveness helps keep pests in check without chemicals—making it safe for plants, animals, and humans alike.

There are also agents like semiochemicals, entomopathogenic nematodes, and plant-based biopesticides that can complement these strategies in cannabis cultivation. These tools will be covered in future articles, expanding the grower’s arsenal for maintaining a balanced and healthy ecosystem.

Challenges of biological control

lthough its advantages are clear, biocontrol also has limitations that growers must consider:

• Storage: living organisms require specific temperature and humidity conditions.
• Establishment of populations: released agents do not always adapt or reproduce as expected.
• Technical knowledge: training or advice is needed to identify pests and choose the right agent.
• Initial costs: in some cases, repeated releases can be more expensive than chemical treatment.
• Time to take effect: biocontrol is usually slower compared to chemical insecticides, which have an immediate effect.