Starwars: the use of lasers for indoor pest control

Small in-flying pest insects, such as thrips are main virus vectors constituting as key problem in greenhouse horticulture. This especially in view of the required pesticide reductions and the fact that viral diseases cannot be treated curatively at all. The use of insect gauze is not effective against these small insects, obstructing ventilation and is difficult to keep clean. Therefore, we explored using lasers as part of an integrated pest management system using thrips as a pest model. Looking at different lenses and laser parameters such as exposure, emission spectrum, light path, and power output, we created a fibre laser screen covering the greenhouse ventilation ducts. We then determined lethal dosages enabling us to kill thrips at 0.025 s, without obstructing airflow and without harm to plants. Comparing absorption spectra, such a laser may also be successful against other small insects like whiteflies. When implemented as a plant scanning system, eliminating trips in a targeted manner, it was shown in a preliminary trial that the laser could even destroy thrips on the underside of a plant leaf without any visible damage to the plant unless plants were exposed for a period longer than 2 s. Energy consumption comprised a maximum of 450 W, comparable to half a Senseo coffee machine. These results show that a laser system is a promising tool for achieving sustainable crop protection in greenhouses with a minimum to no pesticide use at all and without impact on the greenhouse climate.