Integrated Pest ManagementIntegrated Pest Management

What is IPM??What is IPM??

Recognition that in most cases some pest population level can be tolerated–Management vs. Eradication

Optimize & diversify pest managementPlanning ahead to minimize or avoid

future pest problems

Why Use IPM Practices?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??What Does IPM Include??

Cultural practices– Selection of turfgrass and ornamentals–Weed & disease management– Irrigation– Fertilization– Thatch management

Encourage biological controlUse of pesticides when needed

ImplementationImplementation

Pest Identification

Pest Monitoring

Insect Sampling Techniques

Record Keeping & Evaluation

Pest IdentificationPest Identification

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

Insects: Good or Bad??Insects: Good or Bad??

~ 100,000 species in the continental U.S.

~ 150 may be pestsMany are beneficial– Parasites– Predators– Pollinators

All others cause no damage

What is it???What is it???

Landscapers must be able to tell the difference between:– Primary pests– Incidental pests– Beneficials

Pest MonitoringPest Monitoring

Early detection is essential

Frequent, systematic monitoring

Things to Look ForThings to Look For

General thinning of grassor 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 InsectsOther Things That Mimic Insects

Heat &/or drought stress

Nutritional deficiencies

Turf and ornamental diseases

Soil compaction

Other Things That Mimic InsectsOther Things That Mimic Insects

Chemical burns– fuel spills– fertilizers– herbicides– insecticides

ScalpingUrine Improper Pruning

Other Things to Look ForOther Things to Look For

Bird and animal feeding activitySkeletonized leavesFecal pellets (frass)Sawdust-like debrisStem tunnelingSilken tubesWebbing

Sampling TechniquesSampling Techniques

Detergent flush

Flotation

Soil examination

Detergent FlushDetergent Flush

1-2 fl oz dishwashing detergent/gallon

1 gallon/4 sq ft

Sample edge of damaged area

Wait 5-10 minutes

Detergent Flush ResultsDetergent Flush Results

Insects flushed– webworms

– cutworms

– armyworms

– mole crickets

– billbug adults

– earthworms

FlotationFlotation

Insert metal cylinder into soil

Fill with plain water and keep filled

Wait 3-5 minutes for insects to float to top

Flotation ResultsFlotation Results

Used primarily for sampling chinch bugs

Also for chinch bug natural enemies

Soil ExaminationSoil 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 ResultsSoil Examination Results

White grub eggs

White grubs

Billbug larvae

Record Keeping & EvaluationRecord 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

MappingMapping

Start with a general map of the area– Self made map– Irrigation maps– Architectural maps

Identify problem areas

BenefitsBenefits

Accurate record of what you have done– Identify efficacy problems early– Cost/benefit assessment

Allows you to be proactive

Pest Management OptionsPest Management Options

Cultural Methods

Biological Control

Insecticides

Cultural MethodsCultural Methods

Turfgrass and Plant Selection– select ones adapted to local conditions

Effective Maintenance– avoid overly maintained grass and

plants– use good horticultural practices

Biological ControlBiological Control

Conserve and enhance existing biological controls

Release of beneficial organisms

InsecticidesInsecticides

Benefits– 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 ProgramInsecticides in an IPM Program

Select carefullyTime application to most sensitive

stage of the pest–monitor pests regularly

Use treatment thresholdsSpot treat problem areasCalibrate application equipment

Application TechniquesApplication Techniques

Where does the pest feed and live?

Soil or root zone?

Thatch?

Grass blades?

Application Techniques Application Techniques Surface Active InsectsSurface 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 Application Techniques Thatch Inhabiting InsectsThatch Inhabiting Insects

Mow and remove clippings

Irrigate before application

Irrigation after application with 1/2 inch water

Application Techniques Application Techniques Soil Inhabiting InsectsSoil 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 MethodsApplication Methods

Sprays

Granules

Subsurface- liquid- granules

Tips – Night Feeding InsectsTips – Night Feeding Insects

Irrigate during afternoon

Apply treatment late in the day– avoids IR

breakdown– ensures freshest

material when pests are active

Water ManagementWater Management

Maintain good moisture levels

If dry, water before application

Follow label directions in ALL cases

The Label Is the LawThe Label Is the Law

Always read the label before useFollow label safety rulesUse labeled ratesFollow label instructions regarding

irrigationTriple rinse containers into spray tankDispose of pesticide containers

properly

Chemical Pest ControlChemical 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.

PesticidesPesticides

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 WorkHow 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 WorkHow 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 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 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 FormulationsPesticides 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.

Liquid Formulations

Pesticides FormulationsPesticides 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.

Dry Formulations

Pesticides FormulationsPesticides 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.

Dry Formulations

Pesticides ToxicityPesticides 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