Encouraging natural enemies

• Persistent broad-spectrum insecticides, particularly synthetic pyrethroids, are harmful to a wide range of natural enemies and their use should be avoided if possible.
• The best way of increasing natural enemies is to avoid the use of such insecticides and use only selective insecticides or cultural, biological and biotechnological control approaches.
• Provide new and existing orchards with pollen, nectar and structural resources to provide pollinators and natural enemies with habitat and food to increase their numbers. Include earwig refuges (such as wignests and bottle refuges) and hoverfly attractants where possible.
• Populations of natural enemies are increased by providing a diverse range of plants in and around the orchard.
• To enhance biodiversity, alleyways should be sown with a mixture of annual and perennial flowering plants and grasses. The frequency of mowing should be reduced to allow taller species to flower and set seed.
• Successive sowings of flowering herbs in and around the orchard will provide an alternative food source for some natural enemies, notably hoverfly adults, the larvae of which are important predators of aphids.
• Artificial refuges should be provided, ideally one in each tree, to increase populations of some generalist predators, especially earwigs.