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03/09/2026

A recent important topic of note has been the destruction and restoration of the UK's wetlands.

Since the 1700s, around 75% of the UK's bogs, fens, marshes and wetlands have been destroyed. With many being drained and dug up. This process has drastically affected the natural defenses of the UK's land when it comes to drought and high heat.

Without the natural ability to hold water, this ground dries out, leading to the death of plant life and ripe conditions for wildfires to spread. A double threat to the UK's wildlife, as the loss of these habitats combines with the destruction brought on by wildfires and the smoke they produce.

Rewilding these areas could be key to creating a UK that is more resilient when it comes to the changing climate. With wetlands having been shown to have remained green during the recent heatwaves, the efforts to restore them could help to prevent drastic wildfire damage. While also providing places for at risk species to safely live and reproduce.

02/09/2026

Oil Beetles are an incredibly interesting part of UK wildlife, but are unfortunately in decline.

If you have encountered one and handled it physically, you will likely have had the misfortune to discover its specific defence mechanism. An oil-like secretion that can cause discomfort and skin damage. It's best to observe them from a distance and allow them to continue on with their lives undisturbed if spotted.

Unfortunately, the oil beetles of the UK are facing serious challenges. With the decline of bees that their young rely on and the destruction of their habitats, there has been a significant decline in populations.

They are but one example of why it is so important to develop sustainable management solutions to pest populations and to wildlife management in the UK. So that these species can survive and even thrive in our ecosystem.

27/08/2026

Pesticides provide a blanket, 'scattershot' approach to pest management that can cause significant damage to the soil and to useful species that support crop growth.

Pheromone-based systems instead provide a tailored, targeted management solution that avoids these consequences. They are also cost-effective in dealing with invasive pests, making them an economically sensible option.

24/08/2026

After a campaign combating invasive rats and mice, Lord Howe Island sees rare insect and plant populations thrive again!

The island, located 600km off of the coast of Australia, is a world heritage site and natural home of a variety of unique species of flora and fauna. In the middle of the 19th century, mice arrived on the island, and in 1918, rats joined the invasive population after jumping from a grounded supply ship.

In the following years, they ate their way through the island, pushing several species of birds, two plants and 13 invertebrates to extinction. After seven years of efforts starting from 2019, these invasive pests have been brought into control and local species have begun to thrive.

Conservationists found a 60% increase in the total number of invertebrates across sites on the island, with plants and other avian species growing in number as well. Thanks to the removal of 300,000 rats and mice, the island's ecosystem appears to be recovering, and these rare species are growing.

If you would like to read more about these fantastic efforts, you can find out more about the story here: https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/may/27/lord-howe-island-got-rid-of-its-rats-and-mice-now-cockroaches-and-bugs-are-bouncing-back

22/08/2026

Natural solutions to pest management are not only cost-effective but also help preserve our ecosystem.

The consequences of pesticide use are well known: soil toxicity, the decimation of useful species populations, and potential harm to plants and crops. Yet this isn't the only issue, as resistant species emerge as their cost of use only increases.

Making them both highly damaging and expensively ineffective at managing pests.

Pheromones, much like the introduction of natural predator species, offer a natural means of targeting pest species without the harmful side effects of pesticide use. With cost-effective solutions in place, they can achieve greater results without harming the environment.

20/08/2026

New research has pointed towards the theory that the Earth has millions more insect species than previously believed.

An international team of experts has estimated that there are at least 14 to 30 million insect species living on the planet. A significant increase from the commonly prescribed estimate.

The research work conducted investigated a number of species in a select region of Costa Rica. By cross-referencing survey methods, historical data and other forms of testing, they identified that there was a significant lack of overlap between identified species. Overall, they found a large proportion of cryptic species, reinforcing the idea that a high degree of biodiversity remains unrecognised.

Applying the study globally would indicate that a large number of insect species have never been identified and may never be. The burden of the task exceeds the resources dedicated to it to the point that identifying and cataloguing all species would be beyond our abilities.

Pointing towards the necessity of preserving the ecosystems of the Earth and acting to prevent unnecessary harm to the environment. With ongoing climate change and human intervention, it is possible that these unknown species may go extinct before being identified.

The loss of such biodiversity is a severe blow and points towards the necessity of conservation efforts around the globe.

You can read more about the research through the article here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/clye273m70xo

18/08/2026

Spotting species in the wild, show us what you can find!

Now is a fantastic time to observe the variety of species active in our local areas. One of the most important aspects of pest management and tracking insect activity is direct observation. With care, we can often determine potential threats or species present without expensive equipment.

Identifying a species is the first step in any plan to develop a bespoke solution to their management. That is why our research process is so rigorous and why so many of our team are invested in experiencing the natural wildlife present around us.

16/08/2026

The New IPM 2026 symposium is getting closer!

📍 The symposium will run from the 8th to the 10th of September at Swansea University, Bay Campus, Wales.

If you haven't made arrangements to attend, please do so, so there is plenty of time beforehand and you don't miss out on an excellent networking opportunity.

With investors, farmers, researchers, major businesses, and industry leaders in attendance, a significant portion of industry leadership will be present to discuss the future of food systems.

14/08/2026

The twofold danger of unmanaged pest populations is that after weakening plants by feeding on their sap, many pests can spread diseases that are deadly to crops.

Pheromone lures help mitigate this issue by deterring pests from crops. Ensuring that there is a lowered chance of contact and the spread of any plant diseases they carry.

Cucumber mosaic virus image source: https://www.rcsb.org/structure/1F15

10/08/2026

Targeted research and specialised solutions make for a far more effective means of tackling pest management.

At Pest Research Hub, we maintain access to insectary-reared insects that are fully documented to ensure consistent data collection in any testing we carry out. Conducting bespoke research offers a more successful pathway to beneficial outcomes than the use of 'spray and fire' methods such as pesticide sprays.

It also enables us to better monitor the health and movements of insect populations. Without monitoring, we can only achieve poorer outcomes, with less sophistication and more costly consequences.

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