For example, it is important to match pesticides with target pests that they will kill, and that the target pest is not resistant to. Pesticides need to be applied at the correct rate. Safety practices should also be carefully thought through since pesticides are poisons. Environmental conditions such as temperature, rainfall, and wind can all affect the quality and undesired effects of pesticide applications. Finally, it is important to make sure the pesticide actually gets to the target pest.
Biological control can be an effective, environmentally sound method of managing pests.
However, when using natural enemies in your garden, farm, home, or interiorscape, identify the pest and natural enemies, estimate the population of pests and natural enemies, purchase the correct natural enemies, release them correctly, and monitor the effectiveness of the natural enemies. Accurate identification of pest problem is even more important with biological control than with insecticides, because natural enemies often will attack only specific types of pests. There are resources available to help you do this. The first is your County Extension Center. The second is the Plant Disease and Insect Clinic at North Carolina State University.