Keeping the research greenhouse, growth rooms and growth chambers free from pests require collaborative effort from the researchers and staff. Negative effects of negligence also affect everyone in the facility.
Here are some of the ways to maintain pest-free research plants:
Prevention
Prevention is the best way to keep your plants free from pests. Measures to prevent pest infestation include use of clean or sterile plant material, soil and pots and immediate removal of dead plant materials or fungal growth on soil. We strongly advise against bringing in plants from other growth facilities, even within UTM. If it is necessary, please inform us at least two weeks in advance. Precautions including thorough cleaning of plants' foliage and pots is a MUST. Plants with symptoms of diseases or any visible insects are strictly prohibited.
Monitoring
Yellow insect traps are available at the Research Greenhouse, DV1012, DV2033, DV3028 and DV3092D. Feel free to grab some to place next to your plants. Inpect insect traps and your plants regularly. Moving your plants around will dislodge pests hidden from view. Contact us if you need assistance in identifying pests or diagnosing problems.
Control
Researchers are encouraged to control pests by using biocontrol, non-pesticide treatments (e.g., soap in water) and discontinuing experiments followed by running the glasshouse or growth chambers at maximum temperature for several days. Chemical pesticide should be used as a last emergency resort to save critically important experiments. You will need to send a request to use any chemical pesticide to utm.growth.facilities@utoronto.ca since other research maybe negatively affected. Pesticide use may be permitted after consultation with other users, if the individual performing the pesticide application is properly licensed and trained to do so.
Here are some of the biocontrols that we use and some of the common pest in plants:
Learn more about Integrated Pest Management
We highly recommend that you check out Ontario Pesticide Training and Certification's (OPTC) YouTube channel to learn more. More specifically, watch OPTC's Integrated Pest Management video here. More information is available at greenhouseipm.org and other pest management resources.
Need pest control supplies?
Send an email to utm.growth.facilites@utoronto.ca to request for biocontrol for preventative maintenance. For infestations, send us an email together with a picture of your plant with pests. Here is a useful handbook with details on common plant pests and biocontrols.
As a last resort, some chemical controls are also available at the Research Greenhouse. Available pesticides and fungicides are here.