Impact of Pesticides on Insect Numbers – Farming Consideration

Enduramaxx 30/10/2015

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Farmers are continually urged to store pesticides safely and securely in order to minimise their impact on the environment and to reduce leakage into water supplies and systems.

A study by the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT), with support from Natural England, examined 40 year’s worth of data collected on farmland on the Susses Downs.

Examining the effect of climate and pesticide use over that time on the abundance of insects and spiders in cereal crops, of the 26 most commonly identified invertebrate groups, 11 were found to be sensitive to extreme weather.

However, having a greater effect on some invertebrate numbers in cereal crops than climate change was the use of pesticides, particularly for predator groups such as beetles and spiders. As these predators help to keep pest numbers under control, new pest management approaches should be considered.

According to NFU plant health advisor, Emma Hamer, avoiding the edges of fields when spraying pesticide, rotation, resistant crop varieties, cultivation techniques and the use of natural predators are just some of the principles that could be introduced.

The Enduramaxx range of chemical storage tanks will ensure that all agricultural chemicals, including pesticides, are stored safely, thanks to a single piece of rotationally moulded, UV-stabilised polyethylene design. More information on Enduramaxx storage tanks here!