# Biological control

> Using living natural enemies, such as predators, parasitoids, nematodes and microbes, to suppress pests and diseases instead of, or before, chemical sprays.

- Canonical: https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/biological-control.html
- Also written: biocontrol, biological pest control, beneficial insects, beneficials, natural enemies, bugs on bugs
- Glossary category: Pests and diseases · Evidence: Established
- Status: Draft: awaiting expert review · Updated: 2026-10-31
- Licence: CC BY-SA 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/), attribute "GenetixBay cannabis glossary"

Biological control is the use of living organisms to reduce pest or disease populations. In cannabis it includes predators ([predatory mites](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/predatory-mite.md), Orius, lacewings, ladybirds), parasitoids (wasps such as *Aphidius*), [entomopathogenic nematodes](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/steinernema-feltiae.md) (*Steinernema feltiae*), insect-killing microbes (*[Bacillus thuringiensis](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/bacillus-thuringiensis.md)*, *[Beauveria bassiana](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/beauveria-bassiana.md)*) and antagonistic microbes in the [root zone](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/root-zone.md). It is a core pillar of [IPM](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/ipm.md), especially because so few chemical options are permitted on cannabis.

## In practice

Biocontrol works best preventively: release in veg while pests are scarce, match each organism to the pest and the room's temperature and humidity, and keep incompatible sprays away. It is slow compared with a knock-down spray and needs scouting to check establishment. Indoor rooms suit it because the agents cannot fly away easily. Microbial products are pesticides in many jurisdictions and must be registered; check what is registered for cannabis locally. Order from suppliers who guarantee live counts and ship quickly; dead beneficials fix nothing.

## Don't confuse with

- **Cultural control**: changing how the crop is grown.
- **Biostimulants**: products aimed at plant growth, not pest suppression.
- **Organic pesticides**: plant- or mineral-derived chemicals, not living organisms.

## Related terms

[Predatory mite](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/predatory-mite.md), [Aphidius](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/aphidius.md), [Steinernema feltiae](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/steinernema-feltiae.md), [Bacillus thuringiensis](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/bacillus-thuringiensis.md), [Preventive release](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/preventive-release.md), [IPM](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/ipm.md)

## Read more

- [Spider mites on cannabis: life tables, ID and IPM](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/pests/spider-mites.md)
- [Thrips on cannabis: life table, temperature, scouting and biological control](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/pests/thrips.md)

## Sources

1. UConn IPM. Biological control of spider mites (2019 fact sheet). https://ipm.cahnr.uconn.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/3216/2022/12/2019biologicalcontrolofspidermitesfinal2-1.pdf
2. UConn IPM. Biological Control of Western Flower Thrips. https://ipm.cahnr.uconn.edu/ipm-biological-control-of-western-flower-thrips/
3. UC IPM. Natural Enemies Gallery: Phytoseiulus predatory mites. https://ipm.ucanr.edu/natural-enemies/phytoseiulus-predatory-mites/