PEST PEST MANAGEMENTMANAGEMENT

Paul ThompsonPaul Thompson

County Extension AgentCounty Extension Agent

Berkeley & Dorchester CountiesBerkeley & Dorchester Counties

What is a Pest?What is a Pest?

Horn’s definitionHorn’s definition

“ “ an animal or plant whose an animal or plant whose activities interfere with activities interfere with human health, human health, convenience, comfort, or convenience, comfort, or profits”profits”

With this definitionWith this definition

Even Brian

could be considereda pest,

sometimes

Pest ManagementPest Management

Managing pest populationsManaging pest populations

through strategies that take intothrough strategies that take into

account the environmental andaccount the environmental and

economic impacts while loweringeconomic impacts while lowering

the pest population to anthe pest population to an

acceptable level.acceptable level.

Integrated Pest Integrated Pest Management (IPM)Management (IPM)

Monitor pest populations andMonitor pest populations and

employ strategies to maintainemploy strategies to maintain

them below predeterminedthem below predetermined

thresholds. Controls are cultural,thresholds. Controls are cultural,

biological, or chemical and are onbiological, or chemical and are on

a prescription basis.a prescription basis.

MonitoringMonitoring

Regular scouting of crops toRegular scouting of crops to

identify pest problems early.identify pest problems early.

Management strategies can thenManagement strategies can then

be implemented that are basedbe implemented that are based

on the life cycle of the pest andon the life cycle of the pest and

are economically andare economically and

environmentally sound.environmentally sound.

Cultural controlsCultural controls

Managing soil moisture and nutrient Managing soil moisture and nutrient levels for healthy plantslevels for healthy plants

Plant in proper environmentPlant in proper environment Resistant varietiesResistant varieties Increased air movementIncreased air movement SanitationSanitation MulchingMulching

Biological ControlsBiological Controls

PredatorsPredators

Insects or other animalsInsects or other animals ParasitoidsParasitoids

Insects which lay eggs on or Insects which lay eggs on or in hostin host

ParasitesParasites

Fungi, bacteria, nematodesFungi, bacteria, nematodes

Chemical ControlsChemical Controls

Are beneficials presentAre beneficials present Has a population threshold been metHas a population threshold been met Is the pest at a vulnerable stageIs the pest at a vulnerable stage What are environmental risksWhat are environmental risks Will spot sprays solve the problemWill spot sprays solve the problem Weather forecastWeather forecast

Pesticide toxicityPesticide toxicity

Pesticides have an acute toxicityPesticides have an acute toxicity

rating based on laboratory studies onrating based on laboratory studies on

animals, usually rodents. An LDanimals, usually rodents. An LD50 50

rating israting is given expressed in mg/kg ofgiven expressed in mg/kg of

body weight. The lower the LDbody weight. The lower the LD5050, thethe

more toxic the chemical. more toxic the chemical.

Signal WordsSignal Words

Pesticides are classed intoPesticides are classed into

different levels of toxicity baseddifferent levels of toxicity based

on the LDon the LD5050..

Highly toxicHighly toxic DangerDanger

Moderately toxicModerately toxic WarningWarning

Slightly toxicSlightly toxic CautionCaution

DISEASES OF DISEASES OF ORNAMENTALSORNAMENTALS

BSUSCEPTIBLEHOST PLANT

INSECTS OF INSECTS OF ORNAMENTALSORNAMENTALS

adult

pupa

crawler

Further ReferencesFurther References Insects that Feed On Trees & Insects that Feed On Trees &

Shrubs - ISBN # 0-8014-2108-XShrubs - ISBN # 0-8014-2108-X Diseases of Trees & Shrubs - ISBN Diseases of Trees & Shrubs - ISBN

# 0-8014-1517-9# 0-8014-1517-9 The Ortho Problem Solver - ISBN The Ortho Problem Solver - ISBN

# 0-89721-032-8# 0-89721-032-8 Diseases & Pests of Ornamental Diseases & Pests of Ornamental

Plants - ISBN # 0-471-07249-4 Plants - ISBN # 0-471-07249-4