Transcript Control Yard Pests Responsibly

Introduction
Pests
Define
Identify
Integrated Pest
Management
Prevention
Cultural
Biological
Chemical
Physical
Attracting
Beneficials
Control
Yard Pests
Responsibly
Author: Rebecca McNair
Edited By: Allison Steele
Cycle of Pesticide Dependency
Many chemical pesticides are broad
spectrum, killing not only target pests
but also beneficial organisms that serve
as natural pest control systems.
NO natural controls
Indiscriminate
mortality- pests
and beneficials
Dependence on
chemical pesticides
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In the days following a
pesticide treatment, pests
reproduce faster than
predatory insects. By killing
off beneficial insects, pest
populations flourish.
After Thomas Weissling
Tolerance
Some damage to plants is
natural. Don’t strive for a
pest free yard; instead,
decide on a realistic
threshold of damage.
What is a Pest, really?
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Pest- plant, animal, or other
organism that is out of place
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Diseases, Weeds, Insects, Reptiles,
Mammals, Arthropods
Of all insect species
in the world,
less than 1 %
are considered pests
Am I a Pest? This depends on
where I am feeding, in the yard or
the butterfly garden.
Scale
Mealybugs
Aphids
Whiteflies
Nematodes
Thrips
Spider mites
Plant Diseases
Plant
Environment
Pathogen
Disease occurs when an agent impairs the
necessary functions of a plant
Leaf Spots
 Algal, bacterial
or fungal
pathogens
 Enters through
injured tissues
 Spread by
splashing water,
and insects
Root Rot
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Poor growth, thinning canopy
Yellowing and leaf drop
Branch or plant death
Roots dark and rotted, strip off easily
Due to excessive soil moisture
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Poor drainage
Over-watering
Planting too deep
Shallow rooting
Environmental Stresses
Many environmental effects are mistakenly
treated as pest problems.
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Drought
Nutrient deficiency
Variations in pH
Mechanical damage
Cold damage
Excessive water
or fertilizer
Herbicides injured this
tomato plant.
Integrated Pest
Management (IPM)
 IPM is the coordinated use of pest
and environmental information and
available pest control methods
 To prevent unacceptable levels of
pest damage by the most economical
means
 With the least possible hazard to
people, property and the environment
Principles of IPM
Sustainable -using a resource so that the
resource is not depleted or permanently damaged
Prevention
Cultural Practices
Biological Methods
Physical Methods
Chemical Methods
After Dr. Norman Leppla
Prevention
Our most sustainable pest control method
involves avoiding the introduction of pests
(into our country, state or yard).
 Buy pest-free plants
 Select plants adapted to your yard
 Select resistant varieties
 Avoid notoriously problematic plants
 Properly install and maintain plants
Key Plant, Key Pest
Some key plants are likely to be infested by
key pests. For example, Azaleas are
commonly infested by lacebugs, particularly
if the azalea is planted in a sunny location.
Scouting
Monitor plants routinely to aid in early
detection of an insect, disease, or other
problem. Look for:
 Favorable conditions for pests
 Signs and symptoms of pests
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The pests
Damage to plant
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Leaf spot, leaf curl, feeding
Frass- insect excretions
Presence of natural enemies
Cultural Practices
We can also avoid problems with insects
and diseases through proper design,
installation, and maintenance.
Stressed plants are more
susceptible to attack, like
the Chinese Elm with
crowded roots shown here.
Water Wisely
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Water during the early morning,
when leaves are already wet
Avoid overhead irrigation of woody
ornamentals
Many foliar
diseases gain entry
into plants through
the water remaining
on leaves.
Biological Control
The use of living organisms to control pests
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Predators
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Parasites
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Pathogens
Lady beetles and their larvae feed on
aphids and other soft bodied insects.
They are commercially available in bulk.
Attract Beneficial
Insects by:
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Not using harmful pesticides
Providing food
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Nectar and pollen
Plant diversity
Providing shelter
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Enhance vertical layers
Food for Thought
Many herbs and fragrant flowering
plants attract natural enemies
 Gaillardia
 Clover
 Milkweeds
 Cilantro
 Goldenrod
 Dill
 Echinacea
 Fennel
 Sunflower
 Mustards
Clover also fixes
atmospheric nitrogen
into a form available to
other plants.
As A Last Resort….
Sometimes, major pest damage reaches a
level that is unacceptable to the observer.
When all previous management efforts
have been ineffective, individuals may
wish to apply:
 Chemical methods
 Physical methods
These are the least sustainable methods
discussed because they are labor intensive,
and often require repeated treatments.
Physical Management
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Remove pests by hand
Remove infested parts
Establish barriers to
prevent pest access
to plants
Yellow sticky paper attracts whiteflies and
other insects. These traps help to monitor
pest populations in greenhouses.
Chemicals
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Choose least harmful pesticides
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Use selective pesticides rather than
broad spectrum killers
Spot treat where pests
are abundant, rather
than the entire yard
Horticultural oils
Follow pesticide label
instructions carefully
Management Strategies
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“Sap Suckers”- (aphids, soft scales,
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Caterpillars-
mealybugs, whiteflies, spider mites)
 Biological controls
 Soaps and oils
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Bt
Plant Chewers- (grasshoppers, beetles,
leaf miners)
 Use a proper insecticide if damage
warrants action
Management Strategies
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Leaf Spots
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Stem Cankers/ Stem rots
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Change watering and pruning practices
Root rots
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Avoid overhead irrigation
Improve air circulation
Sanitize- remove infected plant parts
to avoid reinfection
Change watering practices
Remove infected plant and roots
Wilt
Remove infected plant
For More Information on
Visit: http://biocontrol.ifas.ufl.edu
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Further Reading
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu
ENY 298 Landscape Integrated Pest
Management
ENY-276 Beneficial Insects and Mites
CIR 642 Homeowners' Guide to Pesticide
Safety
ENY 292 What’s Bugging Me
WEC-20 Dealing with Unwanted Wildlife in
an Urban Environment
PDMG-V1-01 Characteristics of Plant Disease