January — the beginning of a new year, new chapter and a new growing season for the British pepper (aka bell pepper). This particular pepper is a rich source of antioxidants and vitamin C for a rapidly world growing population, not to mention it’s place in multiple favourite dishes across the globe; fajitas, ratatouille and stuffed peppers (just to name a handful).

With all these influential factors in mind, the pressure to produce a perfect pepper that’s not been dosed in pesticides and chemicals is ON.

So, how do UK growers produce bell peppers rich in nutrients, colour and quality? They switch the chemicals for a bunch of hardworking biological control agents.

Whether you want to protect your peppers from aphids, spider mites or thrips — we spoke to our UK Commercial Manager, Caroline Reid, to steal  a few of her top tips when using biocontrol in UK Peppers this growing season.

STEP 1: MONITOR IMMEDIATELY

Monitor your crop effectively, train staff to recognise infestations and report as soon as they see them.

STEP 2: IMPLEMENT BIOCONTROL ASAP

Apply biocontrol products in plenty of time, preventative products such as Oriline and Californiline need to go in early to allow establishment, curative such as Phytoline as soon as pest is seen.

STEP 3: KNOW YOUR PESTS

Identify the pest correctly. E.g. which species of aphid is it? Once specified,  choose the most effective control for your situation such as Aphiline or Erviline depending on the identification.

STEP 4: LISTEN TO YOUR BIOCONTROL SPECIALIST

Apply as advised by your biocontrol specialist – some products have specific requirements like Aphidoline and using not as advised can lead to low performance.

STEP 5: OBSERVE AND REAPPLY

Follow up the treatment with monitoring of effectiveness and control. Reapply as necessary or advised.