Integrated Pest Management

What is Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Pest management strategy using all available strategies to control pests in a responsible and economical way. BMP Best management practice –Use science and practical methods to optimize crops and minimize environmental impact

IPM Studies show that multiple control methods are essential. –Resistance to methods is possible –Similar to antibiotics resistance

Economical injury level/Economic threshold When the control method costs less than the crop loss

Aesthetic Injury Level Significant loss to the plants beauty requires control methods

Scouting Searching the crop/landscape for pest damage and pests.

Benefits of IPM Cheaper costs in pesticide Save time and labor costs Less disease/pests/weed/resistance

Benefits Continued… Less impact on the environment Less cancer causing chemicals

What is a Pest? Animal that causes injury or loss to a plant –Insect –Rodent –Nemetodes (worms) not earthworm –Snails/Slugs –Other mammals including deer and Raccoons

What is a Disease? A negative effect cause by –Virus –Bacteria –Fungus

Weeds Any plant growing where it is not wanted –Cause competition –Unsightly –Can harbor other pests and diseases

Insects Exoskeleton Reproduce quickly and have lots of offspring. This leads to pesticide resistance

There are two different types of mouthparts

Insects can effect plants in two different stages of life Immature Adult

Insects go through metamorphosis Complete Incomplete Complete Incomplete

Plant disease Also known as a pathogen –Infectious: Caused by a living thing such as virus, fungi and bacteria. –Noninfectious: (not pathogens) Caused by non living things in the environment such as overwatering, nutrient deficiencies, air pollution.

Disease Triangle

Disease Triangle Explained Take away one of the factors in the triangle and the disease cannot attack.

Weeds Broadleaf: Weeds that have big leaves such as dandelions. Grass weeds: Weeds that look like grass ie crabgrass.

Weeds Annual: die every year Perennial: Come back every year like a tree Biennial: Plant lives for two years

Weeds Parasitic plants: Mistletoe

IPM Solutions Sanitation: Keep it clean –Remove weeds –Insects and disease can be found in left over plant material and weeds –Remove plants from last year if possible

IPM Solutions Cultural/physical controls: these physically prevent the problems from getting to the plants. –Don’t let them in –Remove bad plants –Promote healthy growth –Good air circulation –Physical removal –Monitor/Scout Use sticky traps

IPM Solutions Biological Control –Microbial, parasitic, or predators –Whitefly, catapillar and aphids can be controlled with bacteria –The bacteria is a natural disease of those insects. It is like germ warfare

IPM Solutions Biological Control cont… –Parasitic organisms –Wasps lay their eggs in the whitefly larvae and eat them from the inside out

IPM Solutions Predatory organisms (can be released) Known as beneficial –Beetle attacking whitefly –Mite killing thrips –Lady bugs eating aphids –Snakes, hawks, cats eating mice Make sure you don’t kill beneficial insects

IPM Solution Chemicals –Know as pesticides (insecticide, rodenticide, molluscicide, fungicide, herbicide) –Used safely –Used only when needed

Conclusion Integrated Pest Management (IPM) uses all available methods to control pests A healthy environment and healthy plant leads to less diseases and pests.