What Would You Do?
A scout finds only one caterpillar on a healthy shrub. What should happen first?
What is continue monitoring before treating?
Lady beetles are released to control aphids.
What is biological control?
Before mixing any pesticide, this should always be read.
What is the label?
Leaves naturally have white speckles, but someone thinks it's a disease.
What is normal variegation?
The first step in preventing pests is choosing these.
What are resistant plant varieties?
A pest population has exceeded the action threshold.
What is begin an appropriate control method?
Dead leaves and plant debris are removed from around shrubs.
What is mechanical sanitation?
A label says "Restricted Use Pesticide."
Who is a certified pesticide applicator?
Plants look unhealthy, but no insects are found.
What is an environmental or cultural disorder?
Rotating insecticides with different mode-of-action numbers helps prevent this.
What is resistance?
A lawn has repeated disease problems because it is watered every evening.
What is change irrigation practices (cultural control)?
Selecting a disease-resistant cultivar before planting.
What is cultural control?
A label lists 25% active ingredient.
What is the ingredient that controls the pest makes up 25% of the product?
Overwatering has caused root decay.
What is root rot?
Biological control works best when pest populations remain at this level.
What is low?
A grower notices pests every spring in the same location. Which IPM practice would have predicted this?
What is recordkeeping?
Hand-removing large caterpillars from ornamentals.
What is mechanical control?
A worker wants to enter a treated area immediately after spraying.
What is check the reentry statement?
Excess fertilizer causes rapid tender growth that attracts insects.
What is overfertilization?
Why should irrigation water be managed carefully in IPM?
Because overwatering increases disease and plant stress.
Healthy plants are growing but a few beneficial insects are present.
What is avoid unnecessary pesticide applications?
Applying fungicide only after monitoring shows disease is present.
What is chemical control within an IPM program?
The label gives directions for mixing, storage, disposal, and application.
Why are these directions legally required to be followed?
Poor air circulation is increasing disease pressure.
What is thin the plants to improve airflow?
The goal of every IPM decision is to balance pest control with this.
What is plant health, environmental protection, and cost effectiveness?