Intelligent strategies against pests

Pest control using only insecticides, especially if based on calendar treatments, can be costly both in terms of environmental impact and in terms of returns. The R&D of companies strongly oriented towards sustainability in agriculture has developed alternative solutions that respect the environment and are safe for operators. 

Thanks to innovations Suterra produces systems to control harmful insect pests in fruit using pheromones. CheckMate® Puffer CM PRO, which is the result of the evolution and optimisation of CheckMate® Puffer CM, was first introduced to the American market in 2013. It is a pheromone aerosol formulation that controls, thanks to the technique of mating disruption, Cydia pomonella (codling moth) in apple and other pome fruit.  

Shortly before the male moths start flying, CheckMate® Puffer CM PRO releases synthetic in the form of aerosols. Male moths flying in a pheromone-increased environment cannot locate the females and therefore cannot reproduce. The contents of CheckMate® Puffer CM PRO are released to the environment by mechanical devices.

The new Puffer® device developed by Suterra has many important advantages compared to previous models and competing options: 

• greater weather-resistance and robustness; 
• lighter weight (60% less) for easier and more comfortable deployment; 
• units are pre-programmed with product specific firmware;
• Puffer is started simply turning on a switch Yet the new Puffer still offers a high degree of autonomy and long life;
• and the same precision in pheromone delivery. 

Suterra also demonstrates its commitment to sustainability through Clean Orchard Promise™, a program to recover its devices from users, with subsequent recycling: no residue in the field, no additional costs for the farmer.