Early or delayed planting can lessen the amount of food available when the insect is in its larval stages. Biological control is the use of other insects or pathogens to control economic pests. Some parasites deposit eggs on their victim. The larvae then consume the pest. Purple scale of oranges controlled by wasps.
Predators kill and consume pests.
Lady bird beetles and their larvae eat aphids. Vedalia beetles have been imported from Australia to control cottony-cushion scale in California and Florida citrus. The bacteria, Bacillus thurengensis, kills butterfly and moth larvae. Investigation continues on new and innovative applications. Chemical control usually implies the use of liquids, gases, powders or granules to control insects.