How To Stay Pest-Free In A Modular Farm
Any conventional farmer will tell you that losing crops to pests is one of their main concerns. You may be surprised to hear that it’s no different in a Modular Farm. The good news is that Modular Farms uses tried and true methods to both prevent and eradicate infestations should they occur.
Modular Farms Research Scientist & Plant Health Specialist Kevin Jakiela has encountered and dealt with most infestations you can think of from fungus gnats to spider mites. He’s seen it all.
“Our Vestibule Module is a great first line of defense against pests. A clean room for visitors and farmers leads to laboratory-like sanitation. The second line of defense would be maintaining good farm practices including regular cleaning of reservoirs, irrigation lines, seed trays, workstation and towers. It’s also essential to supervise the cultivar’s back canopy to ensure there’s no wilting plant matter or restricted air flow.”
Based on Kevin’s research, the likelihood of unwelcome pests entering a farm is substantially lower with a Vestibule Module present. If used correctly, and combined with good clean farm practices, a Modular Farm will be pest-free.
The Vestibule Module
The Vestibule Module works as a bridge unit add-on allowing farmers to walk from one module to another without altering the controlled temperature in each. Farmers can operate in different areas without stepping outside. This creates a climate barrier for crops by keeping outside air pollution and pests away from crops, resulting in a more uniform and productive crop yield.
Minimizing non-farmer foot traffic and having all visitors pass through the vestibule module will help to eliminate outside contaminants.
Pest control in a Modular Farm
Biological Pest Control: This approach involves introducing predatory insects to consume and eradicate targeted pests. Examples include Nematodes, Ladybugs and Midges. Biological insecticides would also fall into this category.
Mechanical Pest Control: This approach uses hands-on methods when an infestation is too extreme to manage by gradual change. Techniques include handpicking, traps (e.g. sticky traps), using barriers and vacuuming to prevent further breeding.
Cultural Pest Control: The utilization of mechanical pest control applied at a certain stage in the pest’s life cycle. The goal is to target and remove during a weakened stage to interrupt further growth.
Chemical Pest Control: The use of pesticides. This method is discouraged as we operate within a closed loop environment. If pesticides are used, the internal ecosystem could be permanently altered or destroyed.
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