What is IPMA threshold based decision management procss which leads the the use of multiple pest control tactics.
Principles of IPM1. ID pests and their hosts2. Establish monitoring procedure3. Establish a threshold for taking action4. Implement control tactic5. Monitor, evaluate and document
The 3 factors that contribute to disease1. susceptible plant2. pathogen3. environment
All 3 must be present for your plant to get disease
Powdery Mildew for example1. susceptible plant
a. Peppers don’t have susceptibility2. pathogen (late blight spores)
a. needs to be present 3. environment
a. needs humid conditions for spore germination
Prevention:
-Steward the the soil- crop rotation- cover crops- compost
- HEALTHY SOIL->RESILIENT PLANT
Birds for controlBug Eaters
Below is a list of common backyard birds and some of the insect pests they eat.
● Bluebirds: grasshoppers, crickets, beetles, larvae, moths● Cardinals: beetles, grasshoppers, leafhoppers, stinkbugs, snails● Chickadees: aphids, whitefly, scale, caterpillars, ants, earwigs● Grosbeaks: larvae, caterpillars, beetles● Nuthatches: tree and shrub insects such as borers, caterpillars, ants and earwigs● Oriole: caterpillars, larvae, beetles, grasshoppers● Sparrows: beetles, caterpillars, cutworms● Swallows: moths, beetles, grasshoppers● Titmice: aphids, leafhoppers, caterpillars, beetles● Warblers: caterpillars, aphids, whitefly● Woodpeckers: larvae, beetles, weevils, borers
Water feature-A pond will attract species of animal to your property different to those that plants will-Many insects and amphibians such as frogs and toads live by water.
• Cultural- ie: crop rotation
• Physical/ Mechanical- ie: picking off bugs
• Biological- encouraging predation through purchases of other insects
• Chemical- spraying
The Many Methods of Control
Cultural Control Methods1. Proper planting dates and conditions2. Plant disease-resistant varieties3. Irrigation: timing and amount
a. drip tape or soaker hose]b. early morning watering
4. Avoid working in wet fields
Cont,5. Handle plants carefully6. Do not introduce pests
-ie: outside mulch or greenhouse seedlings7. Use mulch as soil covering8. Good sanitation
- Clean tools and weeded beds
Cont, 9. Abide by proper spacing
-avoid stress from nutrient deficiency and encourage air flow
10. Companion planting-border of chives or herbs
Trap CroppingPlanting a crop or plant that attracts pests away from nearby crops in order to save the main crop
Chemical Control•Insecticidal Soap
○ aphids, young scales, whiteflies, psyllids, mealybugs, and spider mite○ Soap sprays do not work on caterpillars and beetles
•Neep OilA systemic insecticide that is taken up by the plant through roots and stemsInsect that consumes plant aphids, leafminers, loopers, thrips, mealybugs,
whiteflies, Colorado potato beetles, flea beetles, corn earworms, cucumber beetles, bean beetles, pest mite issues ingests neen
● Pyrethrins○ from chrysanthemum flowers. Kills aphids, beetles and leaf hoppers
● BT○ A naturally occurring bacteria that kills CATERPILLARS. Bt proteins paralyze the digestive
system of insect
Chemical cont.
-Diatomaceous Earth- Fossilized sediment from prehistoric crustaceans called diatoms. The sharp edges of DE cut insects bodies, causing them to dehydrate
-Kaolin Clay (Surround)-White barrier repels pests, causes irritation, confusion, and obstacles for
feeding and egg laying. -must be reapplied after rain-use on slugs, snails, flea beetles, mites, ants, thrips, aphids
Pest ID: Requires and understanding of the insect life cycle!
Complete vs Incomplete Metamorphosis
In the below incomplete there is no pupal stage
Lets Get Practical:
What does this all mean for me as a gardener?● Lets take it family by family with common pests and
diseases
(crop families often share the same pest and diseases)
TomatoesDisease- An array of Fungal Diseases
Management:-Keep soil covered- Prune off lower branches-Avoid working in wet plants-Avoid watering on plants-Plant successions and various varieties-Burn diseased plants at end of year
PeppersDisease: Blossom End Rot:
Management:1. Soil test for Ph around 6.5 and lime levels. Buy quick acting lime
amendment2. Don't’ over-fertilize- it ties up calcium3. Avoid moisture stress- water evenly and use mulch
EggplantPest: Flea Beetle
Management: -Keep floating row cover on until flowering-Trap Crop of radishes-Spray neem oil
CucurbitsPest: Cucumber Beetles
Management:1. Run Chickens through in the fall2. Burn crop residue in fall3. Plan for multiple successions and varieties4. Trap crop of red kuri or blue hubbard 5. Row cover6. Trellis cukes to get them off the ground7. Vacuum them up8. Hand pick9. Kaolin clay/Surround
10. Spray (Azera)
CucurbitsPest: Squash bugsManagement: 1. Run Chickens through in the fall2. Burn crop residue in fall3. Plan for multiple successions and varieties4. Trap crop of red kuri or blue hubbard 5. Row cover6. Trellis cukes to get them off the ground7. Vacuum them up/Burn egg masses8. Hand pick9. Kaolin Clay/Surround
10. Spray (Azera)
CucurbitsDisease: Bacterial Wilt
Management:1. Controlling cucumber beetles(the vector)2. Plant wilt-resistant cultivars3. Remove and destroy affected plants
CucurbitsDisease: Powdery Mildew
Mangament:1. Good spacing2. Actually less of a problem in rainy weather3. Plant disease-resistant varieties4. Plant numerous successions5. Spray with a baking soda solution
Brassicas (Cole crops, cruciferous
● Kale● Cabbage● Musard● Brussel Sprouts● Broccoli● Cauliflower
● Turnips● Radishes● Kohlrabi● Arugula
Brassicas (Cole crops, cruciferous)
Pest: Cabbage Loopers
Management: 1. Run chickens through in fall2. Row Cover3. Hand pick larvae4. Spray BT
Brassicas (Cole crops, cruciferous)
Pest: Flea Beetles
Management: 1. Run chickens through in fall2. Row Cover3. Garlic spray 4. Kaolin Clay5. Spray neem (limited success)
Brassicas (Cole crops, cruciferous)
Pest: Harlequin Bugs
Management: 1. Run chickens through in fall2. Row Cover3. Keep a weed free bed4. Pick off egg masses5. Spray pyrethrin
Apiaceae familyPest: Black swallowtail larvae on dill or fennel
Management:1. Pick them off2. Spray BT
Lettuce (Lactuca Sativa, Asteraceae )
Pest and Disease: Heat stress
Mangement: 1. plant heat tolerant varieties2. use 50 shade cloth in summer
Other pests and diseases (found throughout the garden)
● slugs● aphids● cutworms● leaf minor ● damping off● deer● birds
AphidsPest: They suck the plant sap out of numerous crops
Management:1. Wait to see if ladybugs come in2. Spray with hard stream of water3. Spray with insecticidal soap4. Buy ladybugs or lacewings5. Spray neem
SlugsPest: Eat the foliage and stems of tender plants in wet conditions
Management: 1. Encourage birds, frogs, snakes etc2. Attract with raw potato or cabbage leaves3. Put out beer traps4. Hand pick5. Put coffee ground or DE around seedlings
CutwormsPest: At night caterpillars eat the stem of plant
Management: 1. put collars of plastic or cardboard around stem2. dig around base of plants in morning to destroy larvae
Damping Off
Disease: fungi that kill seedlings by rotting the stem
Management:1. Don’t overwater2. Maintain good air flow3. Add perlite on soil surface4. User sterile potting mix
DeerPest: Eat the tender growth of anything
Management:1. 8ft fence2. Electrify the fence3. Homemade repellents using things like hot peppers or urine
Resources-Your camera, notebook and Google-The Organic Farmers Handbook of Natural Pest and Disease Control-https://attra.ncat.org/pest.html