Pest Control Using Electrically Charged Water Droplets in Irrigation

To support sustainable agriculture with a reduced reliance on chemical pesticides, we propose a novel pest control technique that utilizes electrostatically charged water droplets during irrigation. Inspired by the principles of electrostatic spraying, water droplets were negatively charged using needle-array electrodes under high-voltage and applied to crop environments. The effects of these charged droplets were evaluated on Myzus persicae (green peach aphid), a common pest of leafy vegetables, and fungus gnat larvae ( Bradysia spp. ), which damage mushroom cultivation beds. The results showed a statistically significant increase in aphid repellency with increasing voltage, particularly at − 50 kV, indicating a clear correlation between the applied voltage and pest avoidance. While no significant reduction in movement was observed in fungus gnat larvae, behavioral alterations such as abnormal postures, clustering behavior, and initial hyperactivity following droplet application were documented. These findings suggest that electric fields generated by charged droplets can affect insect behavior and offer a viable foundation for developing non-chemical electrostatic pest control systems compatible with irrigation practices.