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Control Yard Pests Responsibly
Pesticides Pests Define Identify Integrated Pest Management Prevention Cultural Biological Chemical Physical Attracting Beneficials Control Yard Pests Responsibly
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Pesticide Consequences
Synthetic chemical pesticides were introduced in the 1940’s to control agricultural pests; unfortunately there were some unexpected consequences… Trace residues in food Environmental impacts Pests developed resistance
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Cycle of Pesticide Dependency
Many synthetic chemical pesticides are broad-spectrum, killing not only target pests but also beneficial organisms that serve as natural pest-control systems. NO natural controls Pathogen resistance Dependence on chemical pesticides
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In the days following a pesticide treatment, smaller bodied pests reproduce faster than larger predatory insects. By killing off beneficial insects, pest populations flourish. After Thomas Weissling, Ft. Lauderdale REC After Thomas Weissling
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What is a Pest, really? Pest- plant, animal, or other organism that is out of place 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 vegetable garden or the butterfly garden.
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Environmental Stresses
Many environmental effects are mistakenly treated as pest problems. Drought Nutrient deficiency Variations in pH Mechanical damage Cold damage Excessive water or fertilizer An excess of soluble fertilizer burned this tomato plant.
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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
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Principles of IPM Sustainability Prevention Cultural Practices
-capable of being maintained at length without losing in power or quality over time Sustainability Prevention Cultural Practices Biological Control Chemical Control Physical Methods In order of descending sustainability After Dr. Norman Leppla
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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
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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.
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Cultural Practices We can also prevent problems with insects and diseases through proper design and maintenance. Practice our 9 principles Maintain adequate (but not excessive) water and fertility Stressed plants are more susceptible to attack, like the Chinese Elm with crowded roots shown here.
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Sanitation Destroy infected plant materials to avoid reinfestation.
Remove infected plant debris Burn Compost Clean pruning shears, lawn mower blade and other equipment with a 10% bleach solution.
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Cultural Practices Water during the early morning, when leaves are already wet Avoid overhead irrigation Many foliar diseases gain entry into the plant through the water remaining on the leaves.
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Scouting Identify your problem. Look for: Favorable conditions
Signs of pest The Pest Damage to plant Frass- insect excretions Symptoms of the pest Leaf spot, leaf curl, feeding damage… Presence of natural enemies
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Watch for pinholes, indicating parasitism by a wasp.
Scales Watch for pinholes, indicating parasitism by a wasp. 2 types: soft and armored scale Piercing-sucking mouthparts allow it to feed on plant juices Damage: Chlorotic spots, leaf drop Soft scales excrete honeydew Sooty mold grows on honeydew excretions.
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Whiteflies are identified by immatures.
Piercing-sucking mouthparts allow it to feed on plant juices Infest lower leaf surfaces Leaves appear spotted Transmit plant viruses Whiteflies are identified by immatures.
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Spider Mites Tiny Piercing-sucking
Mites, eggs, cast skins, and webs visible with hand lens Leaves appear stippled High infestation rates lead to mite migration
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Aphids Piercing-sucking mouthparts allow it to feed on plant juices
Causes stunting and curling on new terminal growth Excrete honeydew Parasitized aphid mummy
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Roots infected by Root Knot nematodes are swollen.
Roundworms Feed on root tissues Cause dieback, decline, chlorosis Identify under microscope Roots infected by Root Knot nematodes are swollen.
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Thrips Feed on flowers and young foliage
Shiny black excrement on the underside of leaves Transmit plant diseases Damaged plants appear flecked or bleached Cause leaf and flower distortions
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Plant Diseases Host Environment Pathogen A susceptible plant, an agent causing the disease, and a suitable environment are all necessary for disease to occur. Disease occurs when an agent impairs the necessary functions of the plants
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Leaf Spots Algal, bacterial or fungal pathogens
Enters through injured tissues Spread by splashing water
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Root Rot Poor growth, thinning canopy Yellowing and leaf drop
Branch or plant death Roots dark and rotted, strip off easily Due to excessive soil moisture Poor drainage Over-watering Planting too deep Shallow rooting
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Biological Control The use of living organisms to control pests
Predators Parasites Pathogens Lady beetles and their larvae feed on aphids and other soft bodied insects. They are commercially available in bulk.
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Predators Can kill large numbers of prey
Generalists, rather than specialists Often social creatures Wasps, ants Wasps can also be pests if they congregate in the wrong places, like inside your home.
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Predators In general, predators are bigger, meaner, faster, and present in relatively fewer numbers than their prey. Predatory mite Bigeyed bugs are raised commercially to control whiteflies, spider mites, aphids and thrips. Assassin bug
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Parasites Very specialized Often small Look for: A trail of bodies
Exit holes Color changes Healthy aphids Parasitized aphids
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Pathogens Naturally occurring insect diseases Specific to host
Bacteria, protozoans, viruses and fungi Specific to host Lag time- method may take a few days to provide control Bacillus thuringiensis is a bacteria that kills caterpillars, when they ingest it.
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Attract Beneficial Insects by:
Limiting harmful pesticide use Providing water Providing shelter Enhance vertical layers Providing food Maintain plant diversity
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Food for Thought Many herbs and fragrant flowering plants attract natural enemies Gaillardia Milkweeds Goldenrod Echinacea Sunflower Clover Cilantro Dill Fennel Mustards Clover also fixes atmospheric nitrogen into a form available to other plants.
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Tolerance Some damage to plants is natural. Don’t strive for a pest free yard; instead, decide on a realistic threshold of damage.
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As A Last Resort…. Sometimes, major pest damage reaches a level that is unacceptable to the observer. When all previous control efforts have been ineffective, individuals may wish to apply: Chemical control Physical control These are the least sustainable methods discussed because they are labor intensive, and often require repeated treatments.
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Chemical Control Choose least harmful pesticides
Use selective pesticides rather than broad spectrum killers Spot treat the affected area rather than the entire yard Follow printed instructions carefully
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Physical Controls 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 indoors.
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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
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Thanks for your attention!
The following presentation was made possible through a grant from FL DEP and EPA. Special thanks to the following individuals for their valued contributions… Reviewers: Christine Kelly-Begazo Photographs by: Thomas Weissling Entomology and Nematology Department, UF
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