Salinas man invents device to reduce pesticide use

A device called the ” Parabug ” is changing the way growers treat their crops. Parabug’s founder, and Salinas resident, Chandler Bennett showcased his invention at Salinas’ Ag Tech Summit, Wednesday.

” Growers need tools to help manage their pest problems. We’re helping them by adding that tool to their tool belt, ” said Bennett.

Bennett said the Parabug has been on the market for just over a year. The drone can cover 350 acres of land in a day. While in the air, it releases live bugs that eat harmful pests. ” Right after we apply the bio-controls they go right to work for the farmer. They go find their prey, which is the crop pests. They either eat them or parasitize them, ” said Bennett.

Bennett described this as the “good bugs eating the bad bugs. ” He said this is another tool growers can use to reduce the use of pesticides.

Last week, the Environmental Working Group release their annual “Dirty Dozen” list. This includes 12 fruits and vegetables found to have the highest amount of pesticide residue.

As more people are choosing to go organic, growers are looking to new technology to keep up with demand. “There’s a lot of technology that’s coming out today and is being presented at this summit. It just gives you more information to make better decisions as a farmer, for your crop, for your customers, for your workers, as well as for the health of your soil, ” said Communications Director for Caff and Farmers Guild, Evan Wiig .

Wiig represents organic farmers all across California. He said although there may never be just one solution to rid the use of pesticides, events and inventions like this are a step in the right direction. “It’s really about working with nature as opposed to trying to conquer nature with some all-encompassing practice. It’s really about working with the natural systems, ” said Wiig .