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🌿 Please Participate in our Biocontrol Survey! 🌱

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  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,576
    I have completed it but I do wonder if the survey is really aimed at collecting data from people already using biocontrols.
    I have a couple of comments that I feel are worth making:
    1. There are few (if any) options for "none" and if not, why not - I had to use the "other" category. Please note not using biocontrols could be because we aren't using any controls at all - this didn't seem to be considered.
    2. In the Age question there are separate options for the young decades but all the over-56s are lumped together :o - that could be the better part of half a lifetime. Does that mean the researcher isn't interested in how middle-aged and older people's views might vary by age? The impression received is that the researcher is a young person, probably under 30 or so, to whom anyone over 56 just falls into the category of "old".
    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    Very true @JennyJ … yiu could have a household of at least two generations of gardeners falling into the 56+ age group. 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • CatDouchCatDouch Posts: 488
    Completed 👍
    South Devon 
  • JennyJ said:
    I have completed it but I do wonder if the survey is really aimed at collecting data from people already using biocontrols.
    I have a couple of comments that I feel are worth making:
    1. There are few (if any) options for "none" and if not, why not - I had to use the "other" category. Please note not using biocontrols could be because we aren't using any controls at all - this didn't seem to be considered.
    2. In the Age question there are separate options for the young decades but all the over-56s are lumped together :o - that could be the better part of half a lifetime. Does that mean the researcher isn't interested in how middle-aged and older people's views might vary by age? The impression received is that the researcher is a young person, probably under 30 or so, to whom anyone over 56 just falls into the category of "old".
    Thank you very much for your feedback ! So indeed I am a young student and I agree that I could change up some things !!  It is true that I did not give the choice of none and did not consider that no use of control was implemented. I will change that (no need for you to redo this) that way I can better my survey and make it more real ! As for the age I agree I shouldn't have made the 56+ category and will add more ! And people over 56 do not just fall in a category but in the way the survey is done its ends up being the case. Thaks again for the feedback will implement change !! 
  • ButtercupdaysButtercupdays Posts: 4,546
    No weedkillers, no pest controls beyond brushing off a few caterpillars from my kale seedlings. Some weed editing. Not sure if this qualifies as bio control!
    No real problems with pests or diseases either. There seems to be a happy balance and wildlife is thriving. So much so that my 'veg garden' is now home to a bunch of rabbits and most of the veg are homeless.
    Accept I may be in a minority of one :)
    Didn't know how to answer some of the questions & gave up.
  • SkandiSkandi Posts: 1,723
    I use some methods that seemed in the original blerb to come under bio control but then were not mentioned, trap crops being the main one we use. I'll admit the flame weeder at the end isn't very biological.
  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,576
    edited June 2023
    Thanks for taking on board my feedback @gemma.crossley :)

    The fact is, many gardeners take a relaxed view on "pests", maybe occasionally rubbing off aphids by hand or using a jet of water, and as @Buttercupdays said, generally reach a balance point. It might be different in commercial horticulture/agriculture where profit margins are at stake, and I guess your research will find that out. Good luck!
    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
  • Slow-wormSlow-worm Posts: 1,630
    Done. 👍
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    I regard encouraging birds, lacewings, ladybirds, hoverflies, wasps, frogs, toads, hedgehogs etc as ‘bio control. 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • plant pauperplant pauper Posts: 6,904
    Having worked/played in a university for a hundred years I realised that 'young people' are the first generation ever to be young people. Perhaps everyone over 56 was born this age...like us! 🤣

    There is no short cut to experience.

    In my field most end users are the sick and the elderly so my dear undergrads decided that the best way to help them with their meds etc was to design lots of apps! Right everyone...fetch out your Doros and get your apps up. Now select big writing...
    I know, I know some of us have those smart phone thingies! Just having a laugh.
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