Thirty-one morphologically different strains of yeasts and yeast-like fungi, isolated from the surface of pear fruits, were evaluated for biocontrol potential of blue mold on d'Anjou pear fruits. Seven yeast strains (Cryptococcus albidus strain HRB2, C. infirmo-miniatus strain YY6, C. laurentii strain HRA5, Rhodotorula aurantiaca strain YCL5, and R. glutinis strains HRA3, HRA4 and HRB6) reduced incidence of blue mold on pears. C. laurentii HRA5 andR. glutinis HRB6 were most effective for reduction of incidence and severity of blue mold. C. laurentii HRA5 and R. glutinis HRB6 combined with a low dose of thiabendazole (TBZ) (15 μg ml - 1 ) gave significantly better disease control at 5, 10 and 20°C than either TBZ or the yeast alone and was comparable to disease control achieved using a commercially-recommended high dose of TBZ (525 μg ml - 1 ). C. infirmo-miniatus strain YY6 was most effective for the control of Mucor rot of pears. C. laurentii HRA5, C. infirmo-miniatus YY6, and R. glutinis HRB6 reduced incidence and severity of gray mold of pears and were more effective when combined with a low dose of TBZ. Side rot of Bosc pears was completely controlled by C. laurentii HRA5, C. infirmo-miniatus YY6 and R. glutinis HRB6, whereas TBZ was ineffective. Bull's-eye rot of pears was completely controlled by all yeasts when they were combined with a low dose of TBZ. Populations of C. laurentii HRA5, C. infirmo-miniatus YY6 and R. glutinis HRB6 in pear wounds increased approximately 1.3 log units within 10 days at -1°C and 1.7 log units in 2 days at 5, 10 and 20°C. Addition of cell-free supernatants of yeast cultures to wounds did not suppress decay, and substances inhibitory to fungal germination were not detected on culture plates.