the backbone of effective IPM

Monitoring binds every component of an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programme together, driving smarter decisions and significantly improving outcomes.

Biological controls are most effective when introduced early, precisely, and with purpose, making early detection essential before populations become established. Without structured monitoring, interventions become reactive and are often implemented when economic damage has already been done.

With scouting, early pest detection allows growers to act while pest populations are still manageable. Sharpening timings, reducing unnecessary inputs, and lowering labour costs, monitoring helps optimise control and ultimately profits.

Exposing population dynamics
Simply spotting a pest is not enough. Successful biocontrol programmes depend on understanding population dynamics, how fast numbers are rising, where pressure is building, and which areas of the crop are most vulnerable. The goal is reliable, comparable data that supports objective decisions.

Structure turns data into decisions
A strong monitoring programme is built around the right tools and methods for the crop and system. Visual crop scouting, supported by well-chosen traps, remains fundamental. Biobest’s advanced monitoring and scouting tools provide reliable insight into pest presence and population trends.

Bug-Scan sticky traps (deployed at 40/ha) and rolls in different colours, facilitate targeted monitoring for a range of pests. While specialist traps and species-specific pheromone lures enable detection and monitoring of insect pests.

Monitoring efficiency is enhanced with the fully automated AI-powered Trap-Eye system. Significantly reducing labour needs, it eliminates the need for manual sticky trap counting. A solar powered system, Trap-Eye automatically takes pictures of sticky traps – delivering accurate species identification and population data from individual traps.

Pest population dynamics
Improve your overall scouting efficiency by centralising all manual and automated scouting data in the Crop-Scanner App and platform. This powerful tool allows advisors to access results remotely, review insights, and provide informed recommendations based on real-time data.

From observation to impact
Focusing on trends, rather than isolated findings, structured monitoring enables decisions based on thresholds, instead of assumptions. It is not an extra task layered onto crop management, but the foundation of sustainable crop protection. Ultimately, it informs the next step, the introduction of beneficial insects in a strategic programme to effectively manage the issues.

Effective monitoring leads to better decisions, healthier crops, improved quality, and stronger returns on investment.

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