Practical Tips

Low-effort actions that amplify beneficials and reduce pest pressure.

← Back Next: Population Cycles →

Top 10 tips

  1. Keep something flowering at all times.
  2. Accept small pest patches (they feed beneficials).
  3. Protect edges and corners (recovery zones).
  4. Avoid spraying refuges if you can.
  5. Manage humidity where possible (helps predatory mites).
  6. Avoid repeated knockdowns (resets the system).
  7. Feed plants steadily, not aggressively (soft growth attracts pests).
  8. Maintain organic matter in soils (supports soil predators).
  9. Use artificial feeding sparingly (support, not magic).
  10. Watch trends, not individual insects.

Artificial feeding — use with care

Supplementary feeding can help bridge gaps, but:

  • Food without shelter is wasted
  • Food without prey does not build populations
  • Overuse can distort behaviour