Applied Bio-nomics

What Applied Bio-nomics does

Applied Bio-nomics Ltd. is a privately held, family-owned Canadian manufacturer founded in 1980 and headquartered in Victoria, British Columbia. The company specializes in the research, development, and production of biological pest control products — specifically beneficial insects, predatory mites, parasitoid wasps, and predatory beetles — as natural alternatives to chemical pesticides. Its product portfolio spans at least 13 species addressing pests such as spider mites, whitefly, aphids, thrips, and fungus gnats across greenhouse, ornamental, outdoor crop, and residential applications. A defining technical differentiator is the company's decision, since 2005, to eliminate cold storage of all products based on scientific research showing that refrigeration below 8–9°C impairs searching ability and sex ratios in beneficial species; the company ships fresh, non-refrigerated beneficials that it claims outperform stored alternatives by up to 20x in some trials.

The company's revenue model rests on two streams: (1) one-time product sales of beneficial insects and mites sold through a global authorized distributor network, with package sizes ranging from 50-unit trays to 500,000-unit bulk bags, and (2) consultative professional services providing tailored pest management strategies directly to customers. Pricing is not publicly disclosed and is delivered quote-based through distributors. The customer base spans commercial greenhouse vegetable growers, ornamental and floriculture producers, outdoor crop farmers (hops, peppers, bananas), and home gardeners, with named international application cases in Costa Rica, Oregon, British Columbia, Holland, Washington State, and Ontario. Distribution is global via resellers and direct enterprise consultation, supported by content marketing including a Bio-Control Handbook and Technical Manual.

The firm maintains strategic memberships with American Hort, the Association of Natural Biocontrol Producers (ANBP), Flowers Canada, and the CABI Bioprotection Portal, and holds a core co-development partnership with Vineland Research and Innovation Centre for the Anystis baccarum product. Recent operational moves include a 2026 investment in solar power and improved insulation for sustainability. Headcount is reported in the 11–50 range, and the company remains under family ownership with no disclosed institutional funding, acquisitions, or M&A activity.

Name

Applied Bio-nomics

Legal name

Applied Bio-nomics Ltd.

Website

https://appliedbio-nomics.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1980

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Applied Bio-nomics Ltd. is a family-owned Canadian manufacturer founded in 1980 that produces and distributes fresh, non-refrigerated beneficial insects and predatory mites for biological pest control, serving commercial greenhouse growers, ornamental producers, outdoor farmers, and home gardeners across North America, Central America, and Europe.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Biological Pest Control Products

NAICS

Pesticide, Fertilizer, and Other Agricultural Chemical Manufacturing (3253), Pesticide and Other Agricultural Chemical Manufacturing (32532)

SIC

Agricultural Chemicals (2870)

akta.pro primary industry

Beneficial Insects (Predators & Parasitoids) (AFABAEAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Beneficial Mites (AFABAEAI), Biological Pest Control (Beneficial Insects, Nematodes, Microbials) (AFABAKAB)

Keywords

• Biological pest control
• Beneficial insects
• Predatory mites
• Integrated pest management
• Greenhouse biocontrol

Headquarters

HQ city

Victoria

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Beneficial Insects and Mites Sales: Sale of biological pest control products including predatory mites (Stratiolaelaps scimitus, Neoseiulus fallacis, Phytoseiulus persimilis, Neoseiulus cucumeris, Gaeolaelaps gillespiei, Anystis baccarum), parasitoid wasps (Encarsia formosa), beetles (Delphastus catalinae, Stethorus punctillum, Dalotia coriaria), and predatory midges (Aphidoletes aphidimyza). Products sold in various package sizes ranging from 50 units to 500,000 units.
2. Consultation and Technical Support Services: Expert advice and consulting services provided to customers on comprehensive strategies and cutting-edge information on how to maximize the benefits of fresh and potent beneficials for optimal pest control performance.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Applied Bio-nomics manufactures and sells fresh (non-refrigerated) beneficial insects and predatory mites — including predatory mites, parasitoid wasps, beetles, predatory midges, lacewings, and hoverflies — as natural biological pest control products for greenhouse, ornamental, field agriculture, and home garden applications. The company complements its 13+ species product catalog with expert consultation services tailored to specific pest and crop scenarios.

Product overview

Applied Bio-nomics is a biological pest control company offering a comprehensive portfolio of beneficial insects and predatory mites as natural alternatives to chemical pesticides. The product line includes soil predators (Stratiolaelaps scimitus, Gaeolaelaps gillespiei, Dalotia coriaria), predatory mites for spider mite control (Phytoseiulus persimilis, Neoseiulus fallacis, Anystis baccarum), thrips predators (Neoseiulus cucumeris), whitefly parasitoids and predators (Encarsia formosa, Delphastus catalinae), and aphid predators (Aphidoletes aphidimyza, Micromus variegatus, Eupeodes americanus). The company emphasizes fresh, non-refrigerated products for maximum efficacy and has eliminated cold storage since 2005 based on scientific trials showing storage below 8-9 degrees Celsius impairs effectiveness. Products are sold in various package sizes suitable for greenhouse, field, and residential garden applications.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Stratiolaelaps scimitus (Ss) Soil predatory mite controlling fungus gnat larvae, thrips pupae, pathogenic nematodes, spring tails, and vine weevils. Cornerstone product of the biological pest control industry for over 35 years. Sold in various package sizes for greenhouse and field applications.
• Stethorus punctillum Small black beetle that is a spider mite specialist, capable of finding spider mites by smell and excellent flight. Effective in low humidity and high temperature conditions.
• Phytoseiulus persimilis (Persimilis) Predatory mite capable of complete eradication of two-spotted spider mite prey. Works well with webbing and is compatible with Neoseiulus fallacis.
• Delphastus catalinae Small black beetle that controls and eradicates whitefly species by seeking out and destroying whitefly colonies, with preference for Bemisia species.
• Neoseiulus fallacis (Fallacis) Predatory mite effective against spider mites and the most effective preventative of spider mites. A generalist capable of feeding on many pests and surviving on wind-blown pollen.
• Neoseiulus cucumeris (Cucumeris) Generalist predatory mite effective against thrips (first and second instar larvae), two-spotted spider mite, broad mites, straw mites, and whitefly eggs. Cost-effective thrips predator.
• Aphidoletes aphidimyza (Aphidoletes) Predatory midge with high searching ability capable of finding individual aphids within crops. Each larva kills about 200 aphids per day.
• Encarsia formosa Parasitoid wasp of greenhouse whitefly and Bemisia whitefly. 99% of wasps are female, each capable of host feeding on three whitefly scale and parasitizing five scale per day.
• Anystis baccarum (Crazee Mite) Large, fast red mite (Whirligig Mite) and generalist predator effective against whitefly, red mites, psyllids, thrips, aphids, and spider mites. Co-developed with Vineland Research and Innovation Centre.
• Micromus variegatus Brown lacewing predator active at all mobile stages of lifecycle. Adults do most predation at night. Effective at temperatures as low as 4 degrees Celsius, making it suitable for winter ornamentals.
• Gaeolaelaps gillespiei Soil predatory mite about 50% more effective at fungus gnat suppression than Stratiolaelaps scimitus. Better suited for coco-fiber mats and rock wool substrate.
• Eupeodes americanus American Hoverfly whose larva may eat 1,700–2,200 aphids in its one-week larval stage, making it a heavy aphid predator among commercially available beneficials.
• Dalotia coriaria (Atheta/Rove Beetle) Rove beetle generalist predator primarily used for controlling fungus gnats and shore flies in wet locations. Can tolerate nearly aquatic situations and prefers loose, coarse soil types.
• Expert Consultation and Technical Support Services Direct consultation services provided by experienced Applied Bio-nomics professionals to commercial customers, delivering tailored strategies, advice, and cutting-edge information on the effective and cost-efficient use of fresh beneficials for optimal pest control performance.

Quantifiable outcome

• Products eliminate need for cold storage while maintaining effectiveness
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• American HortminorOthersIndustry association membership demonstrating leadership in the horticultural industry. Applied Bio-nomics is a proud member of American Hort.
• ANBP (Association of Natural Biocontrol Producers)minorOthersIndustry association representing producers of natural biological control products. Applied Bio-nomics produces the best bugs as recognized by this association.
• Flowers CanadaminorOthersIndustry association for flower and ornamental plant producers. Applied Bio-nomics is a member demonstrating commitment to the Canadian floriculture industry.
• CABI Bioprotection PortalminorOthersInternational center for agriculture and bioscience organization providing bioprotection resources. Applied Bio-nomics is a partner providing biological control solutions through this platform.
• Vineland Research and Innovation Centre (Ontario)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partnership for the development of the Anystis baccarum (Crazee Mite) product. This predatory mite was researched and developed alongside Vineland Research and Innovation Centre, making it a significant co-development partnership for a key product line.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights3 records

Broad incumbents

• Biobest Group: Biobest is a leading Belgian producer of bumblebees, beneficial insects, and mites serving greenhouse horticulture and outdoor crops globally. It is a direct competitor in the same beneficial-insect-and-mite category, with similar species portfolios and IPM consulting services.
• Certis Biologicals: Certis Biologicals (Mitsui & Co subsidiary) is a global supplier of biological pesticides and beneficial microbial products for agriculture. Comparable in crop protection/biocontrol mission, but with a microbial-pesticide focus rather than live beneficial insects.
• BASF Agricultural Solutions: BASF is a global agrochemical incumbent with an expanding biocontrol and integrated pest management portfolio (including products acquired via Becker Underwood and partnerships). Comparable at the crop protection category level, but a giant generalist rather than a beneficial-insect specialist.
• Koppert Biological Systems: Koppert is the global market leader in biological crop protection and pollination, headquartered in the Netherlands. It sells beneficial insects, mites, and bumblebees for greenhouse and field crops worldwide - directly comparable products, target customers, and IPM-driven go-to-market.

Emerging players

• BioWorks: BioWorks provides biological pest control and plant health products (beneficial insects, biopesticides) into greenhouse and specialty crop markets in North America. Comparable customer base and biocontrol-adjacent portfolio, with growing overlap in IPM-driven greenhouse segments.

Direct peers

• ARBICO Organics: ARBICO Organics distributes beneficial insects, mites, and biological pest control products to growers and home gardeners across North America. Comparable in product catalog (predatory mites, beneficial insects) and biocontrol consulting for IPM programs.
• Beneficial Insectary: Beneficial Insectary (a Biobest subsidiary) produces beneficial insects and mites in Redding, California for North American greenhouse and field agriculture. Directly comparable product line, family-business origin, and North American greenhouse customer overlap with Applied Bio-nomics.
• Bioline AgroSciences: Bioline AgroSciences (part of InVivo Group) develops and supplies macro-organisms and beneficial insects for protected and outdoor crops across Europe and the Americas. Closely comparable in species range, customer base (greenhouse growers), and biocontrol consulting model.
• IPM Laboratories: IPM Laboratories is a small US-based producer of beneficial insects and mites for greenhouse and nursery growers. Closely comparable in size and product mix (predatory mites, parasitoid wasps), and competes for similar North American greenhouse customers.
• Rincon-Vitova Insectary: Rincon-Vitova is a long-established California-based insectary producing beneficial insects for agriculture and IPM. Similar specialty producer profile, overlapping beneficial species (predatory mites, parasitoids), and organic/biological positioning.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks4 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/Applied_Bio
• Facebookfacebook.com/pages/Applied-Bio-Nomics-Ltd/296329667554867
• Instagraminstagram.com/goodbugsworkhere
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/applied-bio-pest

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Applied Bio-nomics