Predator insects leave a mitey small carbon footprint

Biotactics, a company that breeds beneficial predator mites, is a green-on-green company. Not only does it help make other companies sustainable through the production of predatory mites, but it also uses sustainable practices in its own business.

Predator mites biologically control spider mites, a common pest in agriculture that feeds on fruit trees, berries, and other plants. In the past, getting rid of these pests required using chemical pesticides, but, in the 1960s, a trend toward biological controls began.

"Using predator mites reduces the pesticide runoff into our streams, rivers, lakes, and oceans," says Barbara Maltby, owner of Biotactics. "They also reduce the pesticide exposure for the farm workers."

The predator mites produced by Biotactics are non-invasive species, and many are native to Oregon. No larger than a pinhead, the mites only eat spider mites and do not bite or harm animals or humans. Most of the mites Biotactics raises are used in nurseries and farms, but a few are sold to homeowners and gardeners who want to limit their use of pesticides.

The vision
Biotactics was started in 1976 by Glenn Scriven and Walter White, who had been working on biological control at U.C. Riverside since 1958. They had a vision that natural pest enemies could reduce pesticide use.

"Glenn, an entomologist, and Walt were the true pioneers of integrated pest management," says Barbara. "Most producers of predator mites today follow what Glenn and Walt taught them."

Barbara and her husband, Skip, worked for Walt and Glenn for several years, and then bought Biotactics in March 2005.

Picking the best mite
Biotactics raises seven kinds of mites, as each mite has a particular environmental preference. "'One size fits all' does not apply to using predatory mites for controlling spider mites," says Barbara.

For example, the phytoseiulus persimilis mite is best for field strawberries in California, but the amblyseius andersoni favors the fruit tree red spider mite on apples and pears in temperate climates.

Several factors need to be considered before choosing the best predator, says Barbara, like the type of plant, the temperature, the humidity, and whether or not the location is outside or inside a greenhouse or other interior plantscape.

Shrinking the carbon footprint
As beneficial as these mites are, their production can use a great deal of energy. Their environment must be kept at a constant temperature, and the high use of fossil fuels went against the company's philosophy. As Biotactics' business expanded, they needed to increase the size of their facilities, which would mean using even more propane gas for heat. The problem was how to grow the business without compromising their belief in sustainability.

"We felt it would be irresponsible of us as a company to protect the water systems by contaminating the air," says Barbara.

Klamath Falls provided the solution. In order to take advantage of the region's geothermal heating for the greenhouses necessary in the production of mites, the company recently relocated there from California.

Using geothermal hot water fed through radiators, Biotactics heats its buildings to the temperature required for mite production and doesn't have to rely on fossil fuels.

"Since most pesticides are petroleum-based," says Barbara, "using our products also allows the farmers to reduce their carbon footprint."

It is expected that this change will prevent 25,000 metric tons of greenhouse gases from entering the atmosphere over the next 10 years, which is like taking almost 5,000 cars a year off the road.

And those are mitey big numbers.