In avocado production there are a number of pests such as thrips, brown spiders, crystalline spiders, worms and ants, as well as root diseases that cause a reduction in the yield of avocado trees and economic losses due to fruit damage. For this reason, integrated pest and disease management is essential. This approach combines a series of methods such as monitoring, cultural practices, biological control and, only when necessary, chemical control.

Although biological control is not yet common in avocado production in Mexico, more and more growers are exploring the development and implementation of natural enemies of pests and diseases such as predatory mites and bugs, lacewings, beneficial nematodes and entomopathogenic fungi, among others, in order to ensure sustainable production that allows them to continue accessing export markets where entry barriers are becoming increasingly strict.

Oscar Alvarez, orchard manager of Don Sanchez Fresh, it is important to be patient and develop knowledge about the behavior of beneficial insects and their relationship with other integrated pest management tools. "You have to be patient and lose your fear. You need the help of Koppert consultants to know which substances affect the performance of beneficial insects. It also takes a lot of dedication to obtain the favorable results that biological pest control gives.