Many beneficial insects can be bought from commercial nurseries for augmentative release. Ladybird beetles and lacewings are examples of predators that can be ordered through the mail to help control aphids, whiteflies, and other pests. Parasitoids of whiteflies, caterpillar eggs, and other pests may be purchased for release into a farm, garden, or greenhouse. In addition, some entomopathogens are available commercially in formulations which can be applied like a pesticide. Conservation often involves establishing plants that provide alternate food sources such as nectar and pollen for beneficial insects, or selective use of insecticides so as not to injure the beneficial species.
Many beneficial insects feed on the pollen of plants such as cilantro, fennel, and buckwheat.
It may be possible to increase the numbers of beneficial insects by including such plants in a farm or garden. IPM involves using a variety of techniques to manage the pest in an economically viable and environmentally sound manner. IPM programs rely on the periodic examination of crops to determine if pest populations are reaching damaging levels. This is called scouting , which in addition provides information on the relative proportion of beneficial and harmful arthropods on a crop. Effective scouting programs can lead to significant reductions in pesticide use, because pesticides are applied only when necessary.