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Pest and Predator Monitoring both in and around Landscapes
Early detection , monitoring and scouting are key to success.
Proper identification is important. The following considerations are in order:
1.) Identify pest species on the crops you plan on growing. Determine which associated beneficial insects could be targeted for control.
2.) Inventory conditions within the landscape to determine natural habitat needs of selected beneficials, include:
Permanent Insectary sites
Augmentation of existing hedgerows, field borders
or other odd areas adjacent to fields.
Trap crop areas that can be rotated.
3.) Consider the plant selection that should be matched to attract identified beneficial insects.
4.) Factor in a fair amount of habitat required based on beneficial insect dispersal ability . Get help if you need it. This can be either annual or perennial cover.
5.) Find lists of plants suitable like this one for the lower West side of WA:
http://pollinator.org/PDFs/PacificLowlandrx8.pdf
The following NRCS document will help you determine what native insects will be useful to you and what their target pests are:
http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/nrcs141p2_021753.pdf
Keep in mind that many of the native predators are generalists and will eat more than one pest, but often have a favored target pest, like aphids. Augmentation to these attractive plantings can be done with more specific predators and parasitic wasps to enhance your pest control program.
Find a whole host of free publications on the ATTRA site:
https://attra.ncat.org/publication.html#pest
Plant and Maintain Habitat for Beneficials
Is the client interested in habitat plants and encouraging natural controls in their garden?Hedgerows and neighboring crops can be important oasis of natural predators. Monitoring these for beneficial insects can be helpful as a decision making tool as you are trying to determine whether to spray, wait, or release a biological control into the system to augment the situation.
Get inspired with this overview on the topic :
http://www.ipmnet.org/Beneficial_Insects_Draft5.pdf
Review the Softer Approaches to Pest controls and weigh the options:
http://www.xerces.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/xerces-organic-approved-pesticides-factsheet.pdf
Keep in mind that even Pyrethrum sprays (which can be organic) can be really hard on bees and other pollinators. If the goal is to take the softest approach possible and rely on natural predators and biocontrols, then the following considerations are in order:
Spot treatment ( for aphids and some other pests) might be all that is ever needed. Spot treatments will be more effective and less costly than broadly spraying the whole landscape or greenhouse. Conserving natural enemies is key, so think twice before you spray even soap , oil , or pyrethrins. If you have native predators or beneficial insects released into the growing system.
Timing strategies can help. Early planting and harvest can help avoid natural pest timing in your growing area. Starting early season with Biological controls is better than having to spray. Thresholds and tolerances for insects vary, so reach out for help in assessing how best to do this. http://www.aces.edu/timelyinfo/Horticulture/2010/July/July_2_2010.pdf
Botanical sprays like pepper sprays can be used to help repel, or excite pests . Some of these newer materials can be very safe and used to create a repellency effect in certain instances, or agitate pests like thrips out of growing tips if needed. They do have their place, when used thoughtfully and or in combination with certain materials. Don’t spray these on top of your beneficial insects.
Microbial biopesticides can be considered an important line of defense at times. These CAN be used with your beneficial insects if needed. Both bacterial as well fungal based materials are out there and many certified for organics.
See the labels for various mycoinsecticides including :
Botanigard, (Mycotrol is OMRI) Preferal, PFR- 97, Met 52, and others, as
each has different pests that they are most effective on.
Overview of Bacillis thuriginensis strains and how they are best used:
Some products worth reviewing : Novador, Dipel
http://www.entomology.wisc.edu/mbcn/fea207.html
Neem Products Botanical extracts fro the Neem Tree (Azadirachtin) vary quite a bit. Low toxicity to bees, and low mammalian toxicity. A good article to read:
http://www.gpnmag.com/article/explaining-azadirachtin-and-neem/
Although direct spray has a minimal impact on beneficial insects, this is a complex compound and should be considered carefully before spraying or drenching.
The Good Guys- Predators , Nematodes and Parasitic Wasps
See SoundHorticulture.com for more information and tech sheets you can download on each of these main biological controls.
Predators can be specific or generalist in their target prey. Parasitic wasps are very small, and tend to be very specific in their target range. Some of the best approaches in biocontrol are the ones that consider the power of biodiversity and mixing predators and parasites for best results. Other tools like sprays for knocks downs are needed much less often when a variety of predators and parasites are employed, along with the other recommendations mentioned earlier.
Pests
Black Vine Weevil (BVW)
https://www.uvm.edu/vtvegandberry/factsheets/blackvineweevil.html
European Crane Fly (ECF)
https://pnwhandbooks.org/insect/hort/turfgrass/turfgrass-crane-fly
Here’s an article by Sharon Collman of WSU:
http://whatcom.wsu.edu/cranefly/articles/Collman-CFintro.htm
http://whatcom.wsu.edu/cranefly/CFcalendar.htm
http://whatcom.wsu.edu/cranefly/articles/crane_fly.pdf
Western Wireworm
http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/crops/facts/00-047.htm
Fleabeetle
http://cru.cahe.wsu.edu/CEPublications/PNW640/PNW640.pdf
Fleas
https://www.pesticideresearch.com/site/?page_id=2933
Good toxicity comparisons at the end of the site.
https://www.epa.gov/pets/epa-evaluation-pet-spot-products-analysis-and- plans- reducing-harmful-effects Please see this summary of finding involving spot-on pesticide products.
Amazing Resources:
https://attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/summaries/summary.php?pub=146 This is the full publication of the Biointensive Integrative Pest Management IPM publication. 52 pages, free download, or you can pay $3.00 for the printed version.
https://attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/biorationals/ Search by any weed, insect, vertebrate or mollusk pest , or any disease organism and search for the labeled materials that can be used. Also view the Pest Prevention Information tab for reams of info and research data that will inform you with your decision making.
Soil fungi slides and lesson: http://slideplayer.com/slide/4014893/
Assessing Quality of Biological Controls:
http://www.vinelandresearch.com/sites/default/files/grower_guide_pdf_final.pdf