Integrated Pest Management Instructor Copy Linda Seals Commercial Horticulture Agent UF Brevard County IFAS Extension Integrated Pest Management

Instructor Copy What is a plant pest? Anything that affects the growth, quality, and appearance of a plant Abiotic Nutrients Drought Wind Light Biotic Insects Diseases

Instructor Copy What is IPM? The use of different pest management strategies to maintain a landscape A pesticide-only approach is one-layered Environmentally unsound Economically unfeasible Use several management practices together

Think of it as a tool box… Instructor Copy Think of it as a tool box…

The Principles of IPM Establish thresholds Scouting and identification Instructor Copy The Principles of IPM Establish thresholds Scouting and identification Prevention Control

The Benefits? Provides long-term solutions to pest problems Instructor Copy The Benefits? Provides long-term solutions to pest problems Protects the environment Reduces pesticide costs and liabilities Limits development of pesticide resistance Good for public relations

The Disadvantages? More labor costs for training and scouting Instructor Copy The Disadvantages? More labor costs for training and scouting More to learn, more to remember

Why is IPM Important? To reduce pesticide resistance Instructor Copy Why is IPM Important? To reduce pesticide resistance To reduce water contamination Avoid harm to non-target organisms Avoid pesticide movement in the environment

Pest Resistance It’s genetic Instructor Copy Pest Resistance It’s genetic Insects that carry the resistance gene do not die when exposed to pesticide The resulting offspring also carry the gene Factors influencing resistance Broad spectrum pesticides = > resistance Increased pesticide use = > resistance Pesticides that provide good control = > resistance

Preventing Resistance Instructor Copy Preventing Resistance Never rely on a single pesticide class. Integrate chemical control with effective, complementary cultural and biological control practices. Always use pesticides at recommended rates and strive for thorough coverage.

Instructor Copy Non-Target Organisms A non-target organism is anything that the pesticide is not intended for Can be harmed directly (contact) Harmed by residue or accumulation Foto de Linda Seals

Pesticide movement Drift – when pesticide move through the air Instructor Copy Pesticide movement Drift – when pesticide move through the air Leaching – when pesticide moves downward through soil Runoff – when pesticide moves with water off of a surface (e.g., roads, sidewalks, roofs)

Pesticide movement Surface runoff and leaching may occur when: Instructor Copy Pesticide movement Surface runoff and leaching may occur when: Too much liquid pesticide is applied, leaked or spilled Too much rainwater, irrigation water or other water gets onto a surface containing pesticide residue Foto: Alabama State Water Program

Pesticides can move into water via Instructor Copy Pesticides can move into water via Drift, leaching and runoff Spills, leaks and back-siphoning Improper disposal of pesticides, rinsates and containers Photo: Linda Seals

How soil affects pesticides Instructor Copy How soil affects pesticides Soil texture – sand, silt, and clay Soil permeability –how fast water can move downward Soil organic matter – influences how much water the soil can hold before it moves downward

Prevention What can you do to prevent pests? Right plant, right place Instructor Copy Prevention What can you do to prevent pests? Right plant, right place Proper pruning, fertilization, watering, mulching, spacing, etc. Installation and establishment Choosing pest resistant cultivars/species Proper site preparation

Prevention Avoid monocultures (what’s that?) Instructor Copy Prevention Avoid monocultures (what’s that?) Start with pest-free, weed-free plants Reduce food, water, and shelter that might attract pests Attract natural predators!! Observe planting dates Sanitation

Scouting Scout the landscape frequently for pest problems Instructor Copy Scouting Scout the landscape frequently for pest problems Reduces the spread of the pest Reduces the amount of pesticides used Reduces cost May allow for the use of less harmful control measures

Scouting Learn key plants and key pests Instructor Copy Scouting Learn key plants and key pests When do they emerge? When is their peak season? Keep records of pest numbers, type of damage, number of beneficials, growth and health of the plant, soil conditions, weather, etc.

Scouting What kinds of pests are present? Instructor Copy Scouting What kinds of pests are present? Are the numbers great enough to warrant control? When is the right time to begin control? Have the control efforts successfully reduced the number of pests?