Biological control before cropping

Net the crop before the fruits ripen. This will exclude birds, but squirrels and raccoons may also take the fruit. Slugs love ripening strawberries. Encourage natural predators, and put down slug traps, or use a biological control see p.97) if necessary. 

Improved crop varieties and protection methods have demanded the application of many herbicides and fungicides to attain increased crop yields, decreased food costs, and enhanced appearance of food. Without proper controls, however, the residues of some pesticides on foods can create potential health risks. Proper application of herbicides and fungicides (as discussed previously) has not only lead to increased crop yield but also has reduced the hazards of persistent pesticides, such as organochlorine insecticides. However, further studies are needed to arrive at meaningful conclusions before establishing a safety in toto to biological systems and the environment. 

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