 Identify pests and natural enemies  Identify signs and symptoms  Frass  Slug trails  Sooty mold  Honeydew

 Accurate Identification is the first step in an effective pest management program!

Photo: Linda Seals

 Utilize as many resources as possible to accurately identify pests  Books and other guides  Internet  Ask local experts  Others?

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

 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

 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

 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.

 Keeping the landscape healthy!  Right plant, right place  Proper plant care  Mowing, pruning, irrigation, fertilization, mulching  Selecting pest resistant varieties  Proper installation and establishment

 Pruning away infestations or infected plant parts  Mowing (control weed seeds)  Edging (weed control)  Sanitation  Sterilize pruning equipment  Wash hands  Clean up debris

 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!

 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

 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

 Use pesticides least harmful to non-target organisms  Least residual  Use pre-emergent pesticides for certain recurring pests

 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

 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

 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

CChoose a tactic that will cause the least harm to non-target organisms UUse each tactic correctly (follow the label directions) OObserve local, state, and federal regulations