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Accurate Identification

Accurate Identification. Identify pests and natural enemies Identify signs and symptoms Frass Slug trails Sooty mold Honeydew. Accurate Identification. Accurate Identification is the first step in an effective pest management program!. What’s this?. Photo: Linda Seals.

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Accurate Identification

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  1. Accurate Identification • Identify pests and natural enemies • Identify signs and symptoms • Frass • Slug trails • Sooty mold • Honeydew

  2. Accurate Identification • Accurate Identification is the first step in an effective pest management program!

  3. What’s this?

  4. Photo: Linda Seals

  5. Accurate Identification • Utilize as many resources as possible to accurately identify pests • Books and other guides • Internet • Ask local experts • Others?

  6. Thresholds • How much damage will you or customer tolerate? • Aesthetic threshold – how many pests must be present to affect the appearance of the plant?

  7. Thresholds • Timing • At what stage of the pest’s growth will the control method be most effective? • Example, mole crickets are more susceptible to chemical control just after hatching • Example, perennial weeds are more susceptible before the seed stage

  8. Intervention • Cultural Controls • Right plant, right place, pest resistant cultivars • Mechanical Controls • Pruning away damage/infestations • Biological Controls • Beneficial insects, Bt • Chemical Controls Photo: Linda Seals Photo: ifas.ufl.edu

  9. Is control necessary? Is the pest expected to cause more harm than is acceptable (will it exceed the threshold)? Use a control strategy that will reduce the pest to acceptable levels (suppression). Cause as little harm as necessary to non-target organisms.

  10. Cultural Controls • Keeping the landscape healthy! • Right plant, right place • Proper plant care • Mowing, pruning, irrigation, fertilization, mulching • Selecting pest resistant varieties • Proper installation and establishment

  11. Mechanical Controls • Pruning away infestations or infected plant parts • Mowing (control weed seeds) • Edging (weed control) • Sanitation • Sterilize pruning equipment • Wash hands • Clean up debris

  12. Beneficials (the good guys) • Ladybeetles • Assassin bugs • Big-eyed bugs • Mealybug destroyer • Spined soldier bug • Tiphiid wasps • Beneficial nematodes • Minute Pirate Bugs • Lacewings • Syrphid flies • Some spider mites • Lizards • Birds • Bats And many, many more!

  13. Beneficials • Encourage beneficials • Provide food (some pests must be present to attract beneficials) • Use banker plants • Most efficient on smaller pest infestations • Are not always predictable

  14. Chemical Control • Start with soaps and oils • Mode of action: smothers insects by blocking spiracles • Spot treat • If infestations are isolated to a few plants, treat only those plants • Avoid broad-spectrum pesticides

  15. Chemical Controls • Use pesticides least harmful to non-target organisms • Least residual • Use pre-emergent pesticides for certain recurring pests

  16. Evaluation • Records can help decide what worked and how much it cost • How do you know if your strategy worked? • Damage to plants remains at an acceptable level • Quality of plants improve • Pesticides used do not harm you, animals, or the environment

  17. Keys to IPM Success • Educate yourself!!! • Make all pest and plant management decisions based on IPM • Choose practices based on pest biology, weather, and plant growth • Goal: suppression • Avoid injury to non-target organisms

  18. IPM Summary Identify the pest and determine whether control is necessary Determine your pest control goal(s) Know what tactics are available Evaluate the benefits and risks of each tactic

  19. IPM Summary Choose a tactic that will cause the least harm to non-target organisms Use each tactic correctly (follow the label directions) Observe local, state, and federal regulations

  20. Preguntas?

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