
Managing Mango Pests: Biological Control for Caterpillars
My twenty-four years of expertise in mango orchard cultivation has brought me many pest control struggles. Caterpillars together with blackfly larvae prove to be the most enduring threats against my mango tree's health. These damaging pests cause severe harm to leaves and fruits which results in consequences for the entire tree's health and productive capabilities. My goal became protecting mangoes through eco-friendly methods while I searched for solutions which would not affect the environment. My investigation into sustainable pest management methods exposed me to the effective biological controls known as BT Thuricide and Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti).
Mango trees lose their leaves as well as suffer fruit decay because the larval stage of moths and butterflies known as caterpillars eat extensively. The orchard loses its visual charm and the trees weaken through suppressed photosynthesis because of their presence.
Blackfly larvae remain inconspicuous yet represent a substantial danger to mango trees because they attack the roots and tender shoots. Blackfly larvae inhabit slurried soil where they eat plant roots and organic matter therefore causing growth reduction and disease susceptibility in mango plants.
The adoption of biological solutions requires implementing cultural practices which make the environment hostile to pests. The removal of common fruit debris together with leaves on a regular basis removes spaces where caterpillars and blackfly larvae can reproduce. A basic but efficient method of pest control through this practice combines population management of pests with reduced damage to tree health. Diversifying the orchard with plants that do not serve as hosts disrupts insect life cycles causing pests to struggle with sustaining their presence in the mango plantations. Blackfly larvae thrive best in conditions which result from excessive irrigation of crops. The combination of drip irrigation systems combined with proper drainage controls soil moisture effectively which makes these pests less likely to survive. Organic compost application to the soil creates two benefits: productive tree growth and stronger mango tree pest resistance.
The fundamentals of pest prevention emerge from cultural practices yet biological controls incorporating BT Thuricide and Bti give further safeguards to the system. Through partnership with microbial agricultural experts from the University of Sustainable Agriculture I gained knowledge about how bio-products integrate into pest management plans.
BT Thuricide:
The BT biological insecticide known as BT Thuricide comes equipped with Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) which exists in nature. The BT Bacillus thuringiensis spray works as an effective caterpillar-specific treatment when sprayed. When the pests feed on BT toxin-contaminated plant leaves they consume these toxins which break down their stomach tissue and result in their death. The chosen spraying technique safeguards both pollinators and natural predators in the orchards while sustaining the intact natural habitat.
Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis:
Blackfly larvae management requires Bti as an important biological insecticide. The natural bacterium Bti specifically kills dipteran insect larvae and avoids damaging other soil insects that live in the same habitat. Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis Bti used as a soil-developed product creates toxins which cause lethal effects to blackfly larvae when consumed by them. Bti is a biological insecticide which decomposes naturally throughout the environment thus creating no lasting negative effects on soil health or its beneficial microorganisms.
The microbial agricultural specialist Dr. Emily Ramirez from the University of Sustainable Agriculture stresses that BT and Bti should become part of integrated pest management systems. The sustainable approach to pest control has been achieved through BT Thuricide and Bti because they provide chemical-free pest treatments for agricultural applications. The targeting ability of these products for pests achieves effective pest control without harming beneficial insects or harming orchard health according to Dr. Emily Ramirez.
Dr. Ramirez points out the beneficial connection that exists between cultural practices and biological control methods. Using BT and Bti alongside proper irrigation and sanitized orchards with improved soil quality creates a total pest population management system which protects mango trees from future outbreaks.
I have achieved outstanding results after implementing bt biological insecticide and Bti in my mango orchard management approach. The number of caterpillar outbreaks in the area decreased while blackfly larvae discontinued their recurring appearances. The tree health improves along with increased mango production of superior quality. The use of eco-friendly solutions which protect my orchard ensures that I feel calm because they produce positive impacts on environmental health.
The successful regulation of mango pests consisting of caterpillars and blackfly larvae demands multisectoral methods that unite agricultural solutions with biological pest management technologies. My use of BT Thuricide and Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti) within my pest management plan allows sustainable and efficient protection of my mango trees. My application of these bio-products received additional expertise from microbial agricultural specialists which ensured my orchards will maintain long-term health and productivity.
Mango growers who want sustainable pest control measures should implement BT biological insecticides and Bti because these approaches create opportunities for healthy orchard development as well as abundant harvests. Make your mango trees thrive by doing the correct cultural techniques and biological pest controls which will result in continuous successful harvests that align with nature's standards.
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Tom's Guide
21 hours ago
- Tom's Guide
Monstera infested with fungus gnats? So was mine — here's how I nursed her back to health
I never thought I'd be a plant parent. I used to find houseplants very daunting, and anytime someone gifted me a plant, it would die under my care — yes, I killed the cactus my best friend gave me for my birthday. Then I met my partner. When we first got together, she had nearly 10 houseplants she doted on. And ever since we've started living together, that collection has grown to nearly 20 — I never thought I'd say this — I've become a plant mom. It's always been my dream to own and nurture a monstera deliciosa (commonly known as a Swiss Cheese Plant), so we bought one that had just one leaf from an independent plant store a year and a half ago. We named her Fudge, as we name all of our houseplants. Fudge was thriving, popping out leaves with fenestrations every so often... and then tragedy struck. I spotted a few tiny flies, which I later realized were fungus gnats, buzzing around her lush leaves and in her soil — and I panicked. I immediately texted one of my best friends who works on a gardening magazine and asked her for advice. She walked me through it, and I did some research, spending way too much time on r/monstera. Et voilà, Fudge was free of fungus gnats within a month. If your monstera is struggling with a fungus gnat infestation, let me walk you through what I did — and hopefully, your monstera will be sprouting new leaves within no time, just like Fudge. I won't lie, fungus gnats are nasty and gross. These tiny flies aren't harmful to humans or otherwise healthy plants, but if you have a baby houseplant, they can seriously damage the root system. Fungus gnats appear when the top layer of your soil stays moist for long periods, and they're attracted to the organic-rich environment of the soil. If you're overwatering your plants, chances are you'll attract a few fungus gnats. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. Once they appear, they start breeding, laying eggs in the plant's soil (yep, gross), and they multiply like crazy. The larvae munch on the roots and, like I said, can severely damage your plants. So you see why I freaked out? Fudge, our monstera, is very precious to me. We grew her from scratch and I'd be damned if I let anything happen to her. Also, if you don't get rid of fungus gnats promptly, they will spread to other houseplants. Trust me, I speak from experience. To get rid of fungus gnats (again, so gross), you need to kill the problem at the root (pun not intended) — you need to destroy the foundation. Fungus gnats lay eggs in your plant's soil, and there are a couple of things you can use to kill them. The first thing you need to do is grab a bag of mosquito bits. Mosquito bits contain Bacillus thuringiensis serotype israelensis, a type of larvicide that kills the eggs laid by fungus gnats in your plant's soil. It's the first line of defence. Mosquito bits contain BTI — Bacillus thuringiensis serotype israelensis — which is an organic larvicide, and you can buy a big bag for $14 / £24 at Amazon. While you're waiting for your order, remember to isolate your infested plant. Like I said, fungus gnats spread quicker than you can imagine. After Amazon promptly delivered the bag of mosquito bits the next day, I made what's called a "tea." I don't know how many times I can say this but again, vile. I then soaked four tablespoons of bits per 4.5 litres of warm water, and kept them soaked for 30-60 minutes. Then, I used a strainer/sieve to separate the bits from the water. These bits contain corn, so if they find their way into your plant soil, they will mould. I then watered the top layer of my monstera's soil and let it soak through. I used the solution every 4-5 days until I was sure I'd killed the larvae. While the mosquito bits are working on killing the larvae, you need to get a pack of sticky fly traps. Even if you kill the larvae, the step would be moot if adult fungus gnats are still flying about because they'll just lay more eggs (this is going to make me throw up). Sticky fly traps are bright yellow, and fungus gnats are attracted to that, so adult ones will fly right at them and get stuck to the glue. Fungus gnats are attracted to bright colors, like yellow, so adult gnats will fly straight at these sticky fly traps and get stuck to the glue, which will keep them from reproducing. I'd recommend grabbing a pack of 36 sticky fly traps, available for $9 / £4 at Amazon. Yes, you're gonna need a few. After I bought mine, I stuck a couple in our monstera, Fudge-y, and two each in every other plant that was in her vicinity when this problem started. The morning after, I was disgusted to see how many adult gnats were stuck to the sticky fly traps. But hey-ho, I had actually gotten rid of most of them over the span of 30-odd days! To ensure that I had gotten rid of all the fungus gnats and to ensure our monstera had a healthy, thriving environment, I also decided to change her soil. I ordered a bag of repotting mix for just £8 at Amazon U.K. I took our monstera to our balcony, carefully pulled Fudge out of her original soil (keeping the moss pole/stake intact), and wore a pair of gloves to separate the oil from her massive, healthy roots. This is the repotting mix I bought in the U.K. but any soil you know is of good quality will do. While I was doing this, I noticed there were still a few fungus gnats crawling at the bottom of her pot and flying around in a frenzy, trying to escape. One of them flew into my mouth. Yes, that happened, and I still haven't recovered because a) gross, b) disgusting, and c) ew. I'll wear a mask next time (but hopefully there won't be a next time). Anyway, I washed our monstera's roots with warm water and then placed her in a new pot and added the repotting mix to it. I quickly and easily did this, then watered her, cleaned her leaves, and misted them. I placed her in my home office, away from the other houseplants, to control exposure and give Fudge time to recuperate. A week later, I spotted a new leaf growing on Fudge, which was a sign that she was healthy and happy and getting enough sunlight. I haven't spotted a fungus gnat around her since, but if it does happen again, at least I'll be prepared. It all paid off, and in the end, I did it all for under £40 — but I'd easily spend as much as needed to ensure our monstera's health and safety. Yes, I am a very protective plant mother. Never saw this coming, but man, does talking to my plants and looking after them fill me with unbridled joy. Have any of your houseplants ever gone through a fungus gnat infestation? How bad did it get and are there any tips and tricks you'd like to share? Let me know in the comments!


Time Business News
a day ago
- Time Business News
Managing Mango Pests: Biological Control for Caterpillars
My twenty-four years of expertise in mango orchard cultivation has brought me many pest control struggles. Caterpillars together with blackfly larvae prove to be the most enduring threats against my mango tree's health. These damaging pests cause severe harm to leaves and fruits which results in consequences for the entire tree's health and productive capabilities. My goal became protecting mangoes through eco-friendly methods while I searched for solutions which would not affect the environment. My investigation into sustainable pest management methods exposed me to the effective biological controls known as BT Thuricide and Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti). Mango trees lose their leaves as well as suffer fruit decay because the larval stage of moths and butterflies known as caterpillars eat extensively. The orchard loses its visual charm and the trees weaken through suppressed photosynthesis because of their presence. Blackfly larvae remain inconspicuous yet represent a substantial danger to mango trees because they attack the roots and tender shoots. Blackfly larvae inhabit slurried soil where they eat plant roots and organic matter therefore causing growth reduction and disease susceptibility in mango plants. The adoption of biological solutions requires implementing cultural practices which make the environment hostile to pests. The removal of common fruit debris together with leaves on a regular basis removes spaces where caterpillars and blackfly larvae can reproduce. A basic but efficient method of pest control through this practice combines population management of pests with reduced damage to tree health. Diversifying the orchard with plants that do not serve as hosts disrupts insect life cycles causing pests to struggle with sustaining their presence in the mango plantations. Blackfly larvae thrive best in conditions which result from excessive irrigation of crops. The combination of drip irrigation systems combined with proper drainage controls soil moisture effectively which makes these pests less likely to survive. Organic compost application to the soil creates two benefits: productive tree growth and stronger mango tree pest resistance. The fundamentals of pest prevention emerge from cultural practices yet biological controls incorporating BT Thuricide and Bti give further safeguards to the system. Through partnership with microbial agricultural experts from the University of Sustainable Agriculture I gained knowledge about how bio-products integrate into pest management plans. BT Thuricide: The BT biological insecticide known as BT Thuricide comes equipped with Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) which exists in nature. The BT Bacillus thuringiensis spray works as an effective caterpillar-specific treatment when sprayed. When the pests feed on BT toxin-contaminated plant leaves they consume these toxins which break down their stomach tissue and result in their death. The chosen spraying technique safeguards both pollinators and natural predators in the orchards while sustaining the intact natural habitat. Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis: Blackfly larvae management requires Bti as an important biological insecticide. The natural bacterium Bti specifically kills dipteran insect larvae and avoids damaging other soil insects that live in the same habitat. Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis Bti used as a soil-developed product creates toxins which cause lethal effects to blackfly larvae when consumed by them. Bti is a biological insecticide which decomposes naturally throughout the environment thus creating no lasting negative effects on soil health or its beneficial microorganisms. The microbial agricultural specialist Dr. Emily Ramirez from the University of Sustainable Agriculture stresses that BT and Bti should become part of integrated pest management systems. The sustainable approach to pest control has been achieved through BT Thuricide and Bti because they provide chemical-free pest treatments for agricultural applications. The targeting ability of these products for pests achieves effective pest control without harming beneficial insects or harming orchard health according to Dr. Emily Ramirez. Dr. Ramirez points out the beneficial connection that exists between cultural practices and biological control methods. Using BT and Bti alongside proper irrigation and sanitized orchards with improved soil quality creates a total pest population management system which protects mango trees from future outbreaks. I have achieved outstanding results after implementing bt biological insecticide and Bti in my mango orchard management approach. The number of caterpillar outbreaks in the area decreased while blackfly larvae discontinued their recurring appearances. The tree health improves along with increased mango production of superior quality. The use of eco-friendly solutions which protect my orchard ensures that I feel calm because they produce positive impacts on environmental health. The successful regulation of mango pests consisting of caterpillars and blackfly larvae demands multisectoral methods that unite agricultural solutions with biological pest management technologies. My use of BT Thuricide and Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti) within my pest management plan allows sustainable and efficient protection of my mango trees. My application of these bio-products received additional expertise from microbial agricultural specialists which ensured my orchards will maintain long-term health and productivity. Mango growers who want sustainable pest control measures should implement BT biological insecticides and Bti because these approaches create opportunities for healthy orchard development as well as abundant harvests. Make your mango trees thrive by doing the correct cultural techniques and biological pest controls which will result in continuous successful harvests that align with nature's standards. TIME BUSINESS NEWS
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Yahoo
Bloomington to launch free downtown shuttle. Here's when and where.
Bloomington Transit will launch a free downtown shuttle this summer. Here's when and where it will run and how you can use it. BT will launch the shuttle June 2 as part of its BLink Microtransit service. It will run weekdays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 5 to 9 p.m. BT said in a news release that it chose those hours 'to serve peak lunch and dinner times.' The shuttle will run in an area between Rogers Street in the west and Indiana Avenue (IU campus) to the east and First Street in the north to 10th Street in the south. The shuttle will provide free, curb-to-curb rides to and from anywhere within that area. You can order rides on demand or schedule them up to 24 hours in advance. BT suggests you make reservations on the BloomingtonLink mobile app or at In that case, the driver will follow a designated course within the shuttle zone. The course will include the Fourth Street and Walnut Street parking garages. Pedestrians can flag down the vehicle at an intersection, hop on and ask the driver to take them to their destination — so long as the destination is within the shuttle zone. BT General Manager John Connell said on The812 podcast, 'We're trying to do something a little innovative this summer just to see how it plays out so we can plan for the future. If you're going to ride a block or two – great, ride a block or two. We encourage people: If they see it, take advantage of it.' Former Bloomington City Council member Steve Volan, who hosts the podcast, had for many years advocated for a downtown shuttle. BT said in the release that it created the shuttle at the request of Bloomington officials and business leaders 'who were concerned about the increased difficulty of transportation and parking brought about by the seasonal closure of Kirkwood (Avenue.)' Bryan Fyalkowski, manager of marketing and development at BT, said via email the downtown shuttle program, as currently laid out, would cost a maximum of $30,000. The shuttle is being paid through the local income tax levied by the city of Bloomington. No. Fyalkowski said the shuttle this summer 'is essentially a pilot program.' 'Based on how much use the service gets over the next few weeks/months will determine how we want to move forward,' he said. Boris Ladwig can be reached at bladwig@ This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: The city of Bloomington will launch a free downtown shuttle