Repository Alternative Pest Control Methods

Introduction to the repository of alternative control methods

The analysis of available information on alternative pest control methods provides a comprehensive list of potential alternatives for specific pests or pest/crop combinations as well as information regarding their eligibility for practical consideration i.e., effectiveness and feasibility. The collected information can be used by the Member States experts to assess the possibility of implementing these alternative methods in their States.

The repository may include the use of conventional chemicals, provided that they are paired with non-chemical alternatives, and they constitute an integral part of a complete strategy/IPM program (i.e. combination of chemical and non-chemical methods leading to reduced chemical use), and they are used in a way that leads to an overall reduction of chemical use e.g. lower number of applications or lower application doses. Pesticides having a low overall impact on humans and the environment (e.g. low risk substances, basic substances) are also elements of the repository. The repository includes information of the number of literature sources and grouping of methods into larger categories e.g. physical method.

The repository of alternative methods is in the form of Excel sheets. Each Εxcel file summarises for a specific pest the outcome of each step of the procedure in the collection of relevant information to ensure transparency and traceability.  The main parts of the data collection excel sheets are described below:

Cover page (Excel Sheet: Cover): This section details the methodological approach employed (e.g. search terms, search fields, exclusion criteria) along with the sources of relevant data for both the systematic and non-systematic literature search. Additionally, it lists alternative control methods for which adequate information regarding their effectiveness and feasibility has been obtained.

Systematic screening part (Excel sheets: Systematic screening_Scopus/Systematic search WOS/Systematic search compilation): The SCOPUS and Web of Science (WoS) databases are the principal sources of information for the systematic literature search. Information deriving from these sources is listed in the sheets Systematic screening Scopus/Systematic search WOS.  Duplicates are removed and all irrelevant studies are excluded based on the information found in the abstract and title. The remaining studies are listed in the sheet “Systematic search compila