Benefits Of Organic Mulch - Insect Control
by John Yazo
Mulching with a heavy layer of organic mulch makes a favorable environment for beneficial predatory arthropods and detritovores. The organic mulch reduces soil temperatures, helps the soil retain moisture and creates an environment for bacteria and fungi to survive.
Most arthropods and detriovores are harmless to crops if keep with a full time supply of organic matter as a food source. The detritovores breakdown the organic matter by feeding on it. There feces are then mixed into the mulch and aiding the rapid breakdown of the material by bacteria and fungi. There are hundreds per square foot of these two types of organisms under a layer of mulch. They supply a steady food for arthropods that feed on insects.
This type of agroecosystem is a favorable environment for predators. It gives them an alternative food sources. This enables then to survive and multiply even through time when pests aren't present, for them to feed on and to make there presents in large quantities to protect the crops against pests when they do start arriving.
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