Pest Barrier Materials Research

New Pest Barrier Materials Are Textiles !

    They show promise because they require less upkeep, or refreshing of the surface, and they also appear to be less expensive in volume quantities. This appears to be their best use at this time (March 16, 1997).

Other qualities which are being, or will be researched include:

• What variety of pests are controllable?
• How selective are the materials?
• Are these materials negative towards beneficials?
• Can this stuff contain a mass migration of pests?
• Are variations of the basic material useful for row crops?

Methods:

• This research has been classic shoe-box entomology using the new materials as a barrier to the insect pest and observing results.
• These initial tests are using existing materials from inventories using normal manufacturing processes for the type of goods.
• Future materials will be custom runs on existing machinery with the new material being engineered to enhance performance and expand the uses from tree banding to row crops.
• The developmentof these materials promise a new and effective tool for rancher, farmers and ochardists; especially organic operations, yet also helpful with pests requiring a integrated approach.
• These materials are non-toxic, rather inert and require little maintenance.
• Commercial developers or interested entrepreneurs might want to develop this new sub-industry in pest control using these new products.

And a link to a brief University of Washington bibiography.