Imagine playing a carefully curated Spotify playlist in your garden to actively repel harmful pests and insects from your plants. No pesticides. No residues. Simply good vibrations working hard to keep the unwanted pests at bay while allowing beneficial ones to thrive.
It’s a blend of nature and technology, creating a vibrant environment where plants can flourish while reducing the need for traditional pest control methods.
This innovative vision is no longer a fantasy; it’s a reality brought to life by Biotremology; Dr Lloyd Stringer and Dr Bethan Shaw - a team from Plant & Food Research participating in the Sprout Accelerator Spring24 cohort.
This pioneering team has developed a groundbreaking solution that leverages vibrations to manage unwanted insects. Traditionally, growers use a combination of natural deterrents and chemicals, often only using the latter when thresholds are reached. This solution will again reduce the need for chemical applications.
Instead, their technology identifies harmful insects and emits specific vibrations to deter them and prevent damaging numbers/populations from establishing.
It’s no secret that pesticides have become a contentious topic for consumers and growers alike. Increasingly, horticulture and vegetable growers are facing dual challenges: managing pests while navigating the complex landscape of national and international pesticide regulations.
“The future of the horticulture and vegetable industry depends on stepping away from pesticides… but to do that, new tools in the toolbox are needed to manage their pests,” says Lloyd. “Not to mention the overseas markets. Even if New Zealand regulation approves a pesticide, if the overseas market doesn’t allow it, we can’t use them on products we aim to sell to that market.”
International regulations are looking for diversity in crops, requiring farmers to minimise pesticide use for biodiversity, food safety and human health.
In short, the industry is losing access to many chemicals, and they need a solution, fast.
The team’s revolutionary device is loaded with various vibrations that will deter unwanted pests. When the pest arrives in the vicinity of the plant, the technology identifies it and plays appropriate vibrations. These vibrations not only send unwanted pests away but also reduce their mating opportunities, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional pest control methods.
It is designed for anyone growing indoors or outdoors on a structure that can hold the device, like tomatoes or kiwifruit.
“Imagine like a guitar, and the vibrations are playing along a string to manage the pests,” Lloyd says. “As growers identify new pests, we can add new calls into the system, the playlist, if you will, and we can insert it into the same system - creating a modifiable residue-free pest management system.”
At the helm of this venture is Dr Lloyd Stringer, the head of product development, whose expertise and passion lie in creating tools that have minimal impact on the ecosystem.
Joining him is Dr Bethan Shaw, an applied entomologist well-versed in the challenges faced by the horticulture industry. Together, they are supported by Mick Riley, the Commercialisation Manager at Plant & Food Research, who brings years of experience to ensure the product’s success in the market.
This dynamic team is excited about their product and what it could mean for the horticulture industry. In their market research, the team was blown away at how passionate and interested the industry bodies are about this tool.
“That was inspiring and validated the value others see in our product,” says Lloyd. “As did being invited into the Sprout Accelerator programme. That is a highlight in our story so far.”
“Being a part of Sprout also allows us to make a plan and transform this tool into a venture. It is bringing science out of the lab and into reality.” Lloyd goes on to say. “Their guidance and connections are vital to our next step.”
Their next step is to finish prototyping the device and demonstrate the effect of their product on a larger scale.
The team admires the courage of Sprout Accelerator Alumni and portfolio member Scentian Bio. Another scientist who took science out of the lab, bravely became a founder and transformed his work into a successful venture.
“Ultimately, we are excited to see science put to use in the real world,” says Lloyd. “We just want to create a product that consumers will want and use. To see it actively used out in the field.”
The future of pest management is bright with innovations like Biotremology. By harnessing the power of vibrations, this team is paving the way for sustainable practices in horticulture. As they move forward, they embody the spirit of progress, proving that sometimes, all it takes to keep pests away is a little music. Good vibrations.