World Environment Day – shining a light on IPM, a sustainable farming practice that’s better for everyone

On World Environment Day this June 5, we’re drawing attention to the vital role Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is playing on farms across Australia – protecting biodiversity, reducing pesticide residues on the food we eat, and helping slow the development of chemical resistance in pests so they can continue to be controlled more sustainably into the future.

IPM is a practical, proven approach used globally to manage pest pressure while supporting productivity and environmental care. It combines biological control, cultural practices, and selective chemical use to target pests more precisely – reducing harm to beneficial species and improving outcomes for growers, consumers, and the environment.

According to market research firm IndexBox (2024), an estimated 353,000 tonnes of pesticides were applied across Australian agriculture in 2024 – enough to fill around 141 Olympic-sized swimming pools. While no one would choose to swim in one, it’s sobering to think how much is going into our soils and on our food.

Biological Services is Australia’s largest IPM company, working directly with commercial growers to help them shift to more sustainable and effective pest management.

“In the past, it was standard practice on Australian farms to spray pesticides on a weekly or monthly cycle – whether or not pests were present,” says James Altmann, Director of Biological Services. “We’ve helped hundreds of growers adopt IPM – using largely natural biological controls and applying selective pesticides only when needed, to reduce chemical build-up in soil and protect the fragile ecosystems of native beneficial predators and pollinators.”

Founded in 1972 to combat Red Scale in citrus, Biological Services has grown into the country’s most comprehensive IPM provider. We offer the largest range of high-quality biological control agents, reared in Loxton (SA) and Muchea (WA), alongside proven, crop-specific programs for the most common pests. Our national team of IPM Consultants – including qualified entomologists and horticulturalists – provides on-site monitoring and advice tailored to each grower’s needs.

Through ongoing research, strong industry partnerships and close collaboration with growers, we continue to support better outcomes for farms, food production, and the environment.

By reducing reliance on broad-spectrum pesticides, IPM contributes to healthier soils and ecosystems, lower chemical residues in produce, and stronger populations of native beneficial insects and pollinators. Just as crucially, it helps slow the rate of chemical resistance in pest populations – a growing concern for long-term crop protection.

“What we really want growers to understand is that at some point, if we don’t switch to selective pesticides and limit their use, the chemicals will stop working,” says James. “IPM is the future – a viable commercial pest solution that’s healthier for our environment and for humans.”

With more than five decades of experience working alongside Australian growers, we’ve seen how IPM strengthens farming systems – making pest control more resilient, more efficient, and better aligned with today’s expectations around food safety and sustainability.

From the technical support of our IPM Consultants to the care and precision of our rearing and logistics teams, every part of our operation is focused on helping commercial growers achieve better results through smarter, more sustainable pest management.

To learn more about the grower benefits of Integrated Pest Management and how Biological Services can you you achieve healthy and sustainable yields through the use of beneficial insects and on-site integrated pest management advice, contact us.