Indoor growers fight pests and diseases with LED lighting

New research suggests that indoor growers and greenhouse operators use lighting in order to increase the effectiveness of fighting pests as part of an Integrated Pest Management program. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is a holistic approach to managing pests that combines methods and strategies, including physical, biological, and chemical processes. IPM creates an environment that is less favorable to pests and utilizes biological controls, such as natural predators or parasites, to control pest populations. These biological controls are called biologicals, biocontrols, or just bios.

Some biocontrol parasites/predators become more effective with increased light intensity and photoperiods. The increased intensity makes these biocontrols better at controlling pests. Research has also shown that increased light intensity can make blue and yellow sticky traps more effective at trapping specific pests.

Different wavelengths of light have been shown effective at fighting certain plant diseases. For example, red light suppresses downy mildew in basil and improves plant growth. The red light treatment is done at night to prevent spore spread.