New Pest Management Drones Release Biological Control Agents

UAV-IQ, a developer of unmanned agricultural management solutions, has announced that it is offering aerial biocontrol, a new integrated pest management (IPM) service that uses drones to release beneficial biological control agents. The agents, bred by Koppert Biological Systems, include predatory mites, lacewing eggs, mealybug destroyers and other beneficials that attack pests of crops such as grapes, strawberries and walnuts.

UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle)-based aerial biocontrol offers a new way for conventional and organic growers to combat pests, reduce the environmental impact of pesticide usage, and address a growing labor crunch.

“We’re extremely excited to team up with the premier company in biocontrol to help address the pest management needs of growers,” said Andreas Neuman, CEO at UAV-IQ. Ryan Hill, General Manager at Koppert Biological Systems, commented: “After extensive research, development, and field trials I’m confident that we are providing growers a high-quality service that will become a standard component of effective, modern integrated pest management plans.”

Features and benefits of drone-based aerial biocontrol include:

• The ability to kill pests even when they’re hiding where chemicals can’t reach
• More efficient distribution than traditional application techniques
• Meaningful reduction in use of chemical pesticides