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Resources for Landscapers

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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.

www.Soundhorticulture.com

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