For over three decades, Global Horticultural Inc., based in Ontario's Niagara region, has served as a supplier and partner to commercial greenhouse operations. What began as a small venture founded by a Dutch horticulturist has turned into a specialized supply and distribution business, serving greenhouses across Ontario, additional Canadian provinces, and even parts of the U.S. Known for its comprehensive catalogue of horticultural supplies, from plant nutrition to packaging and sanitation, Global Horticultural has also been a quiet leader in Integrated Pest Management (IPM).
"We've been doing IPM right from the get-go," says Sarah Stuive, Regional IPM Manager at Global Horticultural. "It started with one woman managing it solo, and now we've grown to a team of six covering all of Ontario. Watching the industry grow with us has been incredible."
35 years of IPM - and counting
Unlike many suppliers who added IPM services in response to market trends, Global Horticultural integrated biocontrols into its offerings from day one.
"Back then, biologicals weren't common," Sarah recalls. "It was still considered novel. Now, we're working with growers who come in with at least baseline IPM knowledge, and that's a huge shift."
This shift is due in part to post-secondary institutions developing formal IPM curriculum, which has created a new generation of junior growers who already understand the role of beneficial insects and non-chemical interventions.
"They're coming in knowing what Aphidius colemani is. That used to take weeks of explanation," she says. "Now, we can start from a place of shared understanding and build from there."
Proximity and freshness: The logistics of living products
A key differentiator for Global Horticultural is its focus on North American-sourced biocontrols. The company has worked for over 30 years with Canadian producer Applied Bionomics in Bristish Columbia, however, historically partnered with major European producers to fulfil the list of biocontrols needed for customers. In the last 6–7 years, however, they've made a shift to more local production through Beneficial Insectary in California and are still able to offer a large array of beneficial insects..
"With beneficials, freshness matters," Sarah explains. "Every hour in transit or storage reduces efficacy. When we can get products to growers faster, the results improve and application rates often decrease."
Because Global Horticultural is the exclusive Canadian distributor for Beneficial Insectary, it can offer later deadlines, faster response times and less time in transit. Through their partnership with Applied Bionomics it has access to niche and specialty insects not widely available through major global producers.
"Our B.C. partner focuses on Canadian-native species," she adds. "These insects are better suited for our climates as they establish faster, can overwinter, and often require fewer introductions."
Spring challenges: A possible aphid resistance warning
While whitefly and thrips remain perennial issues in greenhouse crops, aphids took centre stage this spring, with more frequent reports of reduced efficacy in chemical controls.
"We've seen cases where traditional drenches like flonicamid aren't giving the results growers are used to," Sarah says. "We suspect some resistance is developing, and are advising growers to pay closer attention to aphid populations."
She emphasizes that this isn't yet widespread but serves as a reminder of the limits of chemical-only programs.
"That's why robust IPM programs are so critical. Biocontrols can buffer resistance issues, especially when pests adapt faster than products can evolve."
Beyond the big five: Expanding the IPM toolbox
As the company gears up for Cultivate, Global Horticultural is focusing on education and awareness.
"We want growers to know that there are more than just the five most common predatory insects," she says. "There's a whole world of underutilized beneficials, especially native ones, that could be better suited to specific crops or microclimates."
These lesser-known species often fill ecological niches or offer support in case of resistance or environmental mismatches. Many are also more sustainable, persisting longer in the greenhouse environment and requiring fewer reapplications.
"If you're using the same solutions year after year and still struggling with outbreaks, it's probably time to reassess your IPM mix," she advises. "That's where our team can come in and work directly with growers to design a program that's targeted, cost-efficient, and resilient."
The relationship behind the program
"No biocontrol program works without collaboration," Sarah adds. "We don't just drop off a box of bugs and wish you luck. Our value is in helping troubleshoot, adjust, and strengthen the program over time."
This includes regular on-site visits, pest scouting support, and performance reviews throughout the crop cycle.
"When you know what a grower's specific goals are - whether it's reducing chemical inputs, meeting certification standards, or boosting yield - we can fine-tune the biological component accordingly."
IPM as the new norm
As regulations tighten and consumer demand grows for sustainable practices, Sarah sees IPM becoming the default rather than the alternative.
"What excites me is how dynamic the field is. There's constant innovation, new research, and a growing openness from growers. As we work together, it becomes a discussion about how to do it better."
For more information:
Global Horticultural Inc.
Sarah Stuive, Regional IPM Manager
[email protected]
https://globalhort.com/