Integrated Pest Management

What is IPM?? Recognition that in most cases some pest population level can be tolerated Management vs. Eradication Optimize & diversify pest management Planning ahead to minimize or avoid future pest problems

Why Use IPM Practices? Concerns about environmental safety Loss of long-term residual insecticides Awareness of problems associates with overuse of pesticides

What Does IPM Include?? Cultural practices Selection of turfgrass and ornamentals Weed & disease management Irrigation Fertilization Thatch management Encourage biological control Use of pesticides when needed

Implementation Pest Identification Pest Monitoring Insect Sampling Techniques Record Keeping & Evaluation

Pest Identification All landscapes are inhabited by a diverse array of organisms insects spiders mites nematodes other small animals

Insects: Good or Bad?? ~ 100,000 species in the continental U.S. ~ 150 may be pests Many are beneficial Parasites Predators Pollinators All others cause no damage

What is it??? Landscapers must be able to tell the difference between: Primary pests Incidental pests Beneficials

Pest Monitoring Early detection is essential Frequent, systematic monitoring

Things to Look For General thinning of grass or plant leaf discoloration Spongy areas in the turfgrass Irregular brown patches Plants that break off at ground level or are missing parts

Other Things That Mimic Insects Heat &/or drought stress Nutritional deficiencies Turf and ornamental diseases Soil compaction

Other Things That Mimic Insects Chemical burns fuel spills fertilizers herbicides insecticides Scalping Urine Improper Pruning

Other Things to Look For Bird and animal feeding activity Skeletonized leaves Fecal pellets (frass) Sawdust-like debris Stem tunneling Silken tubes Webbing

Sampling Techniques Detergent flush Flotation Soil examination

Detergent Flush 1-2 fl oz dishwashing detergent/gallon 1 gallon/4 sq ft Sample edge of damaged area Wait 5-10 minutes

Detergent Flush Results Insects flushed webworms cutworms armyworms mole crickets billbug adults earthworms

Flotation Insert metal cylinder into soil Fill with plain water and keep filled Wait 3-5 minutes for insects to float to top

Flotation Results Used primarily for sampling chinch bugs Also for chinch bug natural enemies

Soil Examination Cut three sides of a 12-inch square Peel back sod Examine root zone Examine soil under root zone Can use a cup cutter

Soil Examination Results White grub eggs White grubs Billbug larvae

Record Keeping & Evaluation Provides historical, site specific information Use to predict problems Increase scouting at critical times Record all cultural and pest control treatments Evaluate results

Mapping Start with a general map of the area Identify problem areas Self made map Irrigation maps Architectural maps Identify problem areas

Benefits Accurate record of what you have done Identify efficacy problems early Cost/benefit assessment Allows you to be proactive

Pest Management Options Cultural Methods Biological Control Insecticides

Cultural Methods Turfgrass and Plant Selection Effective Maintenance select ones adapted to local conditions Effective Maintenance avoid overly maintained grass and plants use good horticultural practices

Biological Control Conserve and enhance existing biological controls Release of beneficial organisms

Insecticides Benefits Problems rapid corrective action relatively low cost result in substantial aesthetic or economic benefit Problems pest resistance outbreaks of secondary pests hazard to non-target organisms hazardous residues groundwater contamination

Insecticides in an IPM Program Select carefully Time application to most sensitive stage of the pest monitor pests regularly Use treatment thresholds Spot treat problem areas Calibrate application equipment

Application Techniques Where does the pest feed and live? Grass blades? Thatch? Soil or root zone?

Application Techniques Surface Active Insects Mow and remove clippings Irrigate before application Light irrigation after application if label says so Avoid irrigation for 24-48 hours for blade-feeders aphids, mites, armyworms

Application Techniques Thatch Inhabiting Insects Mow and remove clippings Irrigate before application Irrigation after application with 1/2 inch water

Application Techniques Soil Inhabiting Insects Mow and remove clippings Dethatch or aerate if thatch layer is >½ inch thick Irrigate 24-48 hours before application ½ inch water Irrigation after application with ½ inch water

Application Methods Sprays Granules Subsurface - liquid - granules

Tips – Night Feeding Insects Irrigate during afternoon Apply treatment late in the day avoids IR breakdown ensures freshest material when pests are active

Water Management Maintain good moisture levels If dry, water before application Follow label directions in ALL cases

The Label Is the Law Always read the label before use Follow label safety rules Use labeled rates Follow label instructions regarding irrigation Triple rinse containers into spray tank Dispose of pesticide containers properly

Chemical Pest Control

Pesticides are chemical substances used to kill or control pests. Because it is virtually impossible to eradicate an entire population of pests, pesticides should be used as a tool to manage pest populations to a tolerable level.

Pesticides Inorganic pesticides - made from minerals such as copper, boron, lead, sulfur, tin and zinc such as Bordeaux mixture. Synthetic organic pesticides - man-made, contain hydrogen and one or more elements such as chlorine, phosphorous and nitrogen such as Sevin, malathion and diazinon. Microbial pesticides - microscopic organisms such as beneficial nematodes, viruses, bacteria and fungi. Plant-derived organic pesticides - made from plant parts such as neem, rotenone and pyrethrins.

How Pesticides Work Protectants - applied to plants, animals, structures and products to prevent injury or damage. Contact poisions - kills pests on contact. Stomach poisions - kills when swallowed. Systemics - taken into the sap of plant. Translocated herbicides - kill plants by being absorbed by leaves, stems or roots and moving throughout the plant killing it.

How Pesticides Work Fumigants - gasses which kill all living organisms when inhaled or absorbed. Selective - will kill only a certain kind of plant or animal. Nonselective - kills many kinds of plants or animals.

Using Pesticides Preplant - used before the crop is planted. Preemergence - used before weeds emerge. Postemergence - used after the weed has emerged. Broadcast - uniform application to an entire specified area. Directed - aiming a pesticide at a portion of a plant or a selected plant. Drench - saturating a soil with a pesticide.

Using Pesticides Foliar - application to the leaves of a plant. Spot treat - application of a pesticide to a small selection or area of the site.

Pesticides Formulations Liquid Formulations Emulsifiable Concentrates (EC or E) - active ingredient is mixed with an oil base and diluted with water. EC need little agitation to remain mixed but can cause plant damage. Aerosols (A) - active ingredient in a solvent or solution and will form fine droplet when sprayed under pressure. Liquid Gases - some fumigants are gasses which become liquid under pressure. Some stored as liquids and turn to gases after applied.

Pesticides Formulations Dry Formulations Dusts (D) - ready to use and contain the active ingredient plus a very fine powder to help dispense the chemical. Usually has a low amount of active ingredient. Be careful of drift. Granules (G) - active ingredient is usually 2 to 40%. Safer to use than dusts or sprays and may give a more even pesticide application. Wettable Powders (WP or W) - look like dusts but need to be mixed with water and sprayed. Need good agitation to remain in suspension. Safer for plnats than EC due to low burn potential.

Pesticides Formulations Dry Formulations Soluble Powders (SP) - active ingredient mixed with a powder to be mixed with water. Baits (B) - edible or attractive substance mixed with a pesticide. Flowables (F) - combines the qualities of an EC and WP. Requires agitation. Microencapsulated material - pesticide surrounded by a plastic coating slowly dissolving. Weed and Feed - fertilizer mixed with a pesticide.

Pesticides Toxicity Caution: need one cup or more to cause sickness or death Warning: need one tablespoon or more to cause sickness or death Danger: need one teaspoon or more to cause sickness or death

The End