Northern Valley News
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Locavore News
It’s Footy season!
Issue
12
With Maggie Edmonds
Pages 12 & 13
Page 14
It’s a bug’s life
Our local “Bug Man”, Lachlan Chilman has dedicated the last nine years to breeding beneficial bugs in his commercial insectarium in the Northern Valleys. These microscopic bugs are making a big difference to the strawberry and capsicum horticultural industry in Australia. When he started out only about 5% of the industry was using IPM (Integrated Pest Management) for pest control to fight Thrips and Two Spotted Mites without chemicals. Including our local strawberry grower and past cover story Anthony Yewars, Berry Sweet. Today about 80% of the strawberry industry use predatory bugs. Lachlan’s business, Manchil IPM Services, has about 65% of the Australian market. In a world where there are literally billions of insects it would be easy to become distracted chasing the next big bug. However Lachlan remains focussed. He is only breeding predators for Thrips & Two Spotted Mites and services the Strawberry industry and Capsicum industry within Australia. The small but mighty Persimilis is the predatory bug used to control Two Spotted Mites. Greenhouses full of lush climbing beans create the perfect environment to firstly cultivate the pest. The predators are then introduced, feeding and breeding as they go. When ready, they are ‘harvested’, chilled (to stop them eating each other), bottled along with vermiculite for easy distribution, and sent via Australia Post. It is also reassuring to know, that this form of biological control also has no risk, according to Lachlan, “The predators are cannibalistic, so once they have eaten the pest they then eat themselves. It is not like a cane toad, there is no risk that this biological agent would get out of control.” Across the globe there is increasing evidence of the negative effects of chemicals on bees and now potentially native birds. The importance of biological control maybe the key to sustainable agriculture.
Picture: Entomologist and entrepreneur Lachlan Chilman.
BINDOON
$400 - $425,000
OWNER READY TO MOVE ON
Bindoon
$260,000
3.5 Acres
Stunning views in all directions. 9 x 6m shed with 3 x 9m lean to & concrete floor. Power and water at shed, rich red soils and only a short drive to town centre.
Mooliabeenee $499,000 101 acres Very private yet only 20 minute drive to Bindoon. Spectacular views, mainly cleared with two small sheds, winter creek. Great for weekend getaway.
Liz Connell Realty, 27B Binda Place, Bindoon, WA 6502
P: 08 9576 0626 M: 0428 836 856 E: liz@lizconnellrealty.com
This gorgeous 3 x 2 plus study cedar and iron home is set on 3.5 acres, with lovely outlooks from the verandas. Private patio areas for entertaining plus spa. Air-cond. through-out and a wood fire for winter. 2 car carport plus 9m x 6m shed with concrete floor and general purpose shed. Chook house and enclosed yard, 22,000 lt rain water tank plus scheme water.
Kay Reid 0428 528 053
Ph: 08 9575 2566 www.cabassirealty.com
According to Lachlan, “Bio control for horticulture is still very young in Australia – overseas in Europe 90% of the crops use Bio control. Chemicals are still very dominant in Australia.”
GINGIN
$360,000
Affordable Family Home Great Value, brand new affordable family home located in the Honeycomb Estate. This lovely home has 3 bedrooms and 1 bathroom. All the hard work has been done inside with new floor coverings, window treatments and modern light fittings; all you have to do is move in and enjoy.
Tom Cabassi 0429 095 864