Pest Controls for Aquaponics

Find more info here: zipgrow.com/pe...
In this video, Dr. Nate Storey outlines some of the best controls suitable for aquaponic production.
Nate is the Co-Founder of Bright Agrotech, a leader in vertical, space saving aquaponics and hydroponics systems and a commercial producer in the high plains of Laramie, WY. With this innovative technology, Nate and the Bright Agrotech team feed dozens of restaurants, over 50 people in a CSA program and supply for a local grocer.
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[@ZipGrowInc]

Hi Greg, Yes. The tower design lets us spray with only a fraction of the spray entering our water (we estimate less than 1%). With beds you can't necessarily do this. Some products like Azamax might be safe (do the math!), but one's like pyrethrin aren't safe at all in most bed production or raft production. Having the housing protecting the media and water from the spray is really nice for our operation.

[@ZipGrowInc]

For smaller systems, using just this method will work just fine, you're correct Raederle! However, with larger systems, and especially commercial systems, often times they can't do the job by themselves. Did you see our other video on bio controls? Thanks for the great comment!

[@welcometocattown2036]

excellent information wish I had found this years ago!

[@AquaponicLynx]

Nate, another product that might be worth checking out that seems to be fairly fish safe (though you need to wear goggles when spraying it) is SucraSheild. It is good against soft bodied insects and seems to be very safe for everything else except eyes if the spray gets in them.

[@ZipGrowInc]

You're right- BT is awesome stuff and really fish safe.

[@CanielDonrad]

I really like a combination of products(Don't do Aquaponics.. yet, just outdoor). I don't care much for AzaMax/Neem, it doesn't seem to do much. But BT, Spinosad, Milky Spore, Beauvaria Bassiana are absolutely incredible. Beauvaria Bassiana is crazy cool how it works, its being used in furniture now to control bed bugs.

[@ZipGrowInc]

BT is pretty safe in systems. Of course you always want to spray a portion of your system initially and allow the system to adjust. We've used BT drenches before (to kill drain flies and fungus gnats). Haven't ever had any issues, but every system is different. BT can be a great control though!

[@ZipGrowInc]

You're right Aaron- I've heard of a number of folks using nematodes to control root aphids, fungus gnats and drain flies.

[@ZipGrowInc]

Thanks for the tip! I've heard of it but never got around to ordering it. I have an ordering cycle coming up so I'll put it on the list of things to try.

[@Gothbrooks420]

I have watched so many of your videos now I feel like I know you! great job man.

[@aaronhall555]

Another good bio control is nematodes. I've been using "nematode sf" to control root aphids, an under the soil pest, but they're also effective on surface pests if applied by spray. "Nematode sf" are effective on root aphids first and third stages of their life cycles. "Nematode sf" are safe for fish, and ones that get washed out and end up in the fish tank become tasty treats for the fish, they love them. One application of nematodes can last two years, as they continue to breed.

[@ZipGrowInc]

Thanks, Tim!

[@RaederlePhoenix]

When it comes to aphids, there is a bio-control that entirely viable, even if the aphids are way out of control. I've done it before in my permacultured backyard. You buy a bunch of ladybugs and then set them free in the evening. They don't fly at night, so they'll mate and eat wherever you let them out. They love aphids and they'll eat them all right up. The only trick is that with a major outbreak you'll need to release multiple batches, and also, you need a seller source of ladybugs.

[@AquaponicLynx]

I expect that Nate may not have mentioned BT since his greenhouse system is in a situation and climate where he may not have a huge issue with moths and butterflys getting in to cause a caterpillar problem. There are different types of BT, some work on mosquitoes and fungus gnats but that is a different type than the stuff you spray to deal with leaf eating caterpillars. I have used BT products against caterpillars in my aquaponics systems and it is one of the safer for fish type products.

[@ZipGrowInc]

Hi Darkman, Not necessarily in an AP system- at least without incurring a lot of cost. It's possible, just difficult and expensive!

[@Fuda2010]

Nate, are you able to do all of this spraying because of the ziptower design? It would seem that just hitting the plant surface and not your water supply would make spraying a much more viable option. I have been under the impression that flood and drain bed systems tend to allow whatever you spray to directly enter into your water source? Is it still safe to use some of these in a hydroton bed set up? Any feedback is appreciated. Great video!

[@embalyst]

Nate, I notice you don't mention BT (Bacillus Thurengiensis). I was under the impression that it is safe in an aquaponics system. What's your take?

[@LifeFueldotTV]

My aunt used to mix a 10:1 solution of pure ivory soap and water, then spray it on her plants using a pump sprayer....it's clean, non-toxic, and bugs hate soapy water.

[@jonathanredfern5263]

Jeff Sokol but what about eating it?

[@RaederlePhoenix]

Not sure if I saw that other video yet. I've been watching so many videos on aquaponics. I really believe it can be a huge part of the solution to over-energy consumption, but does aquaponics solve anything if we're still using commercial (even if organic) pesticides? How much land/energy/labor/resources goes into the production of those pesticides? Perhaps it doesn't work in large systems because most large systems are too much of a mono-crop. Permaculture needs to meet aquaponics. :)

[@PestControlinAustin]

Does aquaponics solve anything if we're still using commercial (even if organic) pesticides?

[@yvairguy]

what's your take on the GMO foods? it looks like they will contaminate crops through cross pollination so some day lots of stuff will be GMO. None of it sounds good but do you think it is as bad some are saying?

[@AquaponicLynx]

Mosquitoes are not a problem in my aquaponics system because I have mosquito fish in any trough that I do not have edible fish. But some people might not want to have fish in their raft beds or troughs under towers and they therefor might want to use the type of BT that works against mosquitoes and fungus gnat larva (Mosquito Dunks.) For instance some people have swirl filters or settling tanks or radial filters where they wouldn't want to keep larger fish that would stir up the sediment.

[@GautamKumar-sb7qg]

What are the chances of pest attack in aquaponics as compared to soil based farming

[@SuperMacDaddy66]

Is there a filtration system that could be added to remove the toxins from the water before it goes back into the fish pond, or is this not a practical solution?

[@GreenrivergreenhouseOrganicAP]

We have 4 unusually large raft beds as a result of a retro-fitted media system. My question is: Is it important to spray directly on the aphids, and what concern do you have that we may not be able to spray the underside of leaves very well? Also do you recommend just pulling smaller plants if we notice a large amount of aphids on it? We have a very large commercial raft system (8,890 sq ft or so of grow area) that was victim to a rather substantial aphid infestation. We have reduced the problem with beneficials alone so far, but need to really get in there and wipe what is left out so we can then be a bit more proactive. The problems are again, the wide beds that make it incredibly difficult to manually regulate the infestation or spray under leaves the way I believe we should.

[@ZipGrowInc]

Green River Aquaponics Yes, spray coverage is an issue with raft systems. You do need direct contact with almost all pesticides to get any kill. I would recommend looking into a fogger. If the plants are small and heavily infested, then I would recommend just pulling the seedling. Hope that helps!

[@PestControlSacrament]

Cool informative video

[@ZipGrowInc]

Thanks so much Pest Control Sacramento - We've also been posting quite a few pest control specific blog articles over on the Vertical Food Blog. Here's one on IPM: www.verticalfoodblog.com/ipm-integrated-pest-management/

[@ZipGrowInc]

Well, any time you want to produce enough to feed a lot of people you end up having to use some kind of pest control- and honestly most of the stuff we use is super safe, and represents minimal energy consumption as far as manufacturing goes. It's a necessary evil. Trust me, we wouldn't be staying late to spray for aphids if we didn't have to. That's not to say that there aren't better options or opportunities out there- it just takes a while to get there!

[@SchWillburtWhakArnald]

How do these liquid spray controls interact with the other bio controls you are using in the green house? ie. ladybugs and aphid wasps

[@ZipGrowInc]

It really depends. We've never dented our aphidus wasp population to any damaging extent- they're very hardy. And ladybugs are generally not as impacted by our controls as our pests are. By and large we are careful, but we can get a good kill on our soft-bodied pests while leaving our biocontrols feeling a little sick, perhaps, but still alive and doing their thing.

[@portwolf2293]

Hmm, is it a concern in hydroponics?

[@RaOpNa777]

What would be the effect of the the soft-body pesticide on your worms?

[@ZipGrowInc]

Hey Raul Padilla Secreto - We haven't had any issues with our worms. This is one of the benefits of our ZipGrow towers: they completely enclose the media. Makes pest control much more manageable. #aquaponics

[@ZipGrowInc]

Hi Jeff, I'd love to answer your question but I'm afraid that it will likely start a flame-war. Shoot me a private message if you want my opinion.

[@ZipGrowInc]

It's used, but it isn't always effective. We only use things that we know will work all the time.

[@PestControlofVegas]

Being able to avoid use poisons and traps will definitely boost one's family's standard of living.

[@digitalsoultech]

But What about garlic? Isn't that used often?

[@robertlow938]

How do you control pathogen like phythium?

[@armonihoward6948]

Hydroguard

[@TheDevildogger]

Why would mosquitoes be a problem? Fish eat the larva. I have four rain collection barrels and they each have a couple goldfish. No problems with mosquitoes and the water is CLEAN, NO algae. Same in my koi pond. I throw caterpillars in the koi pond and they don't even last 5 minutes, maybe I'm just lucky.

[@allan9584able]

where abouts is the E book for the mixing

[@ZipGrowInc]

Hi +Allan Burgess - We have an ebook here: resources.brightagrotech.com/

[@allan9584able]

ok Thanks , i would like to buy Zip grow unit set up and if its ok then proceed with a retailing programme

[@ZipGrowInc]

Hi +Allan Burgess - Great! We would love to talk with you more about retailing ZipGrow Tech. Where are you located and when do you think you'll start growing with Towers? Let us know and we'll look forward to hearing how you like them.

[@allan9584able]

Hi Again , I have decided to swing in another direction , but thanks anyway

[@allan9584able]

but i think your set up is pretty great, love ya work

[@1mtstewart]

like weeds on bare ground, insects attack, less than healthy, foliage. pesticides are counter to the market we are courting, those that want clean insecticide and pesticide free produce. I am still researching aquaponics and have found no one else, suggesting the use of insecticides and herbicides which are metabolized and held in the organs and tissues of the fish. again this is contrary to our purpose. what is the source of your disease or deficiency in the plants that the insects are attacking?

[@Quodge]

Worst case scenario.. if your plants get all eaten by pests will the fish be ok?

[@JonathanDavidLife]

Dude, that is 4 types of pesticides organic or not you wanna eat food with all that?

[@josuemelara5085]

so whats the point of acuaponics? got to be something good safer than your stuff

[@TheShawnsalas]

Have you ever used a product called Liquid Ladybug?

[@ZipGrowInc]

Nope!