Torgersen also advocates minimizing application of herbicides to avoid the elimination of shrubs, grasses and other plants that results in reduction of the benefits these plants provide for many animals. In addition, insecticide use should be minimized to avoid unintentional yet harmful effects on nontarget organisms that could undermine the very survival of the targeted organism's natural enemies. Current Research Torgersen is presently involved in studies on the importance of leaving both fallen and standing dead wood in the forest environment. Dead wood is important as a source of food for insects and also for birds that prey on these insects. Since most birds feed on a wide variety of insects during different times of the year this also increases predation on pests of living trees.
Dead wood provides nesting sites for both predacious ants and birds.
Nutrients from dead wood are returned to the soil by many organisms, and these nutrients are then absorbed by the living trees. The more nutrients that are available in the soil, the healthier the living forest will be, and the less susceptible it will be to fatal damage as a result of insect attack. Torgersen has been an influence in the documentation of birds as predators of two common and damaging forest pests present in the Pacific Northwest, the Douglas-fir tussock moth and the western spruce budworm. He has also helped elucidate the role of birds and other naturel enemies in preventing outbreaks of these forest pests. Now he is attempting to communicate to forest managers the methods that will promote the survival of the natural enemies, since predation is such an important force in keeping pest populations under control.