Integrated Pest Management IPM IPM is a sustainable approach to managing pests through biological, cultural, physical and chemical tools in a way that minimizes risks to the community.

To understand this concept, it is important to understand the environmental variables around us. What are the variables in your environment? Integrated Pest Management IPM

A typical home garden has more pesticides (acre for acre) on it than a farmer’s field TRUE or FALSE

A typical home garden has more pesticide (acre for acre) in it than a farmer’s field TRUE or FALSE

If a pesticide is natural, it can not harm you.

TRUE or FALSE If a pesticide is natural it can not harm you.

TRUE or FALSE Since most insects are harmful they should be removed from your yard.

TRUE or FALSE Since most insects are harmful they should be removed from your yard.

Beneficial or not considered to be pests (> 99%) Less than 1% Considered to be pests Of all insect species in the world

A) Inactive produce markets B) Integrated pest management C) Insects pests and moles D) Industrial pesticide makers IPM stands for

A)Inactive produce markets B)Integrated pest management C)Insects pests and moles D)Industrial pesticide makers IPM stands for:

What is IPM??? IPM (integrated pest management) is a sustainable approach to managing pests by combining biological, chemical, cultural, and physical tools in a way that minimizes economic, health, and environmental risks. From: Anonymous Integrated Pest Management Practices in 1991 Fruits and Nuts, RTD Updates: Pest Management, USDA-ERS, 8pp.

What is a Pest? A plant or animal that is out of place This includes: Diseases, Weeds, Arthropods, Reptiles, Mammals, etc.

Is this a pest?

That depends if it‘s in your garden or your house?

Does this person have a pest problem?

Depends on the threshold of damage they will put up with

Biological control Chemical control Cultural control Physical control Pest management toolbox

Biological Control The use of living organisms to control pests Predators Parasites Pathogens

Predators Kill many prey often generalists rather than specialists 200,000 species

Predators Lady Beetle eating an Aphid

Predators A spider mite feeding on a pest, two spotted spider mite

Predators Predaceous stink bug piercing caterpillar

Predators

General Rule –Bigger –Badder –Fewer –Faster long legged fly eating an aphid Above: syrphid fly on daisy Below: syrphid fly eating an aphid

CompleteMetamorphosis EGG LARVA PUPA ADULT

Lady Bird Beetle

Predators Lacewing larvae ready to feed on aphids Lacewing eggs Adult Lacewing

Simple Metamorphosis

Biological Control The use of living organisms to control pests Predators Parasitoids Pathogens

Parasitoids Unlike parasites which usually have multiple hosts and do not kill their prey, parasitoids are all host specific and always kill their prey.

Parasitoids parasitoid wasp ovipositing its eggs into fly larvae. beet armyworm with exit hole from parasitoid wasp

Parasitoids

Parasites

Very specialized Develop from eggs laid in or on host very stealthy and often small leave a trail of bodies Healthy aphids Parasitized aphids Parasitoids

Aphid Mummies

Parasite

A Phorid fly egg hatches and migrates to the ant’s head, where it releases chemicals which decapitate the host

Biological Control The use of living organisms to control pests Predators Parasites Pathogens

Pathogens Usually very specific leave a trail of bodies may take a few days to provide control (lag time) kill, reduce reproduction, reduce insect health

Pathogens usually advertised as naturally occurring insect diseases caused by bacteria protozoa viruses and fungi BT Nosema

Chemical control Should be used as a last resort and with the lowest impact on natural enemies and YOU!

Pest Management Prior to the 2nd World War Several Approaches 1.Manual and physical control methods 2.Cultural control 3.Biological control 4. Chemical control (metal & plant derivatives)

Pest Management After World War 2 Development of nerve gases…discovered to be  Development of nerve gases…discovered to be insecticidal insecticidal  Discovery of synthetic, organic insecticides Organochlorines (DDT - wide spectrum OP’s (parathion) Carbamates Carbamates

Widespread Use of Pesticides ( ) By 1980, more than 900 registered insecticides By 1980, more than 900 registered insecticides Insecticides were a popular choice for pest Insecticides were a popular choice for pest management because they were: management because they were: a. Cheap b. Effective in small quantities c. Persistent d. Broad spectrum e. Easy to use f. Fit in calendar spray schedules

Result of widespread insecticide use Result of widespread insecticide use Suppression of target pests (at one time, up to 98% reduction) from single application.

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Not all Pesticides were created equal Those not compatible with biological control –Organochlorides –Organophosphates –Carbamates –Pyrethroids Others are compatible with biological control –Insect growth regulators –microbials –botanicals –oils/soap –attractants/ repellants

What makes a pesticide compatible? Selectivity residual activity time, rate, and place where sprayed

IGRs Botanicals Repellants Oils/Soaps

Compatibility Chart

CULTURAL CONTROL Disease Resistant Varieties can help Minimize pressure from pests and pathogens

CULTURAL CONTROL Use pest free plants Use resistant varieties Destroy refuse

Cultural Methods: fertilization watering, pruning, sanitation, etc. Grow healthy plants: Stressed plants are generally more susceptible to pest attack

Physical control This can be labor intensive and time consuming

Physical control And don’t forget about the environmentally friendly, SQUASHING method of insect control

Where do I get natural enemies and other aspects of biological control? Buy it Preserve what you have

Purchasing natural enemies? Tips –ID your problem insect –Order from a reputable supplier life cycle when to release how many to release REMEMBER the market is NOT regulated by the government … a buyer beware market

Companies that sell natural enemies In Florida –Florikan –EcoSolutions Outside Florida –IPM Laboratories –Beneficial Insectary –Koppert –Rincon-Vitova Insectaries –Garden’s Alive

How to help the good bugs. Reduce your pesticide use, and only use softer pesticides Learn to ID the good from the bad Use flowers in your garden that attract natural enemies –provide pollen/nectar –provide shelter/shade

Flowers that attract the good guys Dill Fennel Queen Anne’s lace Echinacea (coneflower) Sunflower Tansy Vetch Mustards Lupine Cilantro (coriander) Gaillardia (blanketflower) Milkweeds Goldenrod Fava Bean Alfalfa Clover Parsley

And Scouting

. SCOUTING favorable conditions signs of the pests –damage –frass the actual pest signs of natural enemies