Garden Guy column: Integrated Pest Management
As you shop for plants this year, think about those that attract various birds and other critters that are friendly to plants from the standpoint of eating pests that prey on plants.
Taking care of soil to provide the best possible environment for plants’ roots to grow healthy plants is, perhaps, the most important factor in being successful growing plants whether ornamental or vegetables. Other considerations to reduce plant stresses and grow healthy plants include proper plant selection, watering, mowing, mulching, and the provision of nutrients. Healthy plants are the best defense against weeds, pests, adverse weather, and other problems and which are more in tune with the environment. The result is the need for less inputs like pesticides, fertilizer, labor, and water which is a goal of Integrated Pest Management (IPM).
IPM is an effective way to address pest problems. Rather than applying chemical pesticides on a routine basis, IPM users make treatments only when and where pest populations exceed an acceptable level. These levels are based on economic, plant health, or aesthetic damage that may occur. The objective is not to totally eliminate pests, but to keep pest populations below the level at which they cause unacceptable damage.
This helps prevent the overuse of pesticides which may result in chemicals in our streams, lakes, or ground water supplies, and potentially in the food chain and harming wildlife.
Changing habitat to discourage pests or to increase natural predators, introducing natural predators, and physical control such as handpicking, barriers, and traps are all steps in IPM that can be taken short of applying a pesticide for controlling pests. If chemical controls are still required, consider the use of organic pesticides. There are scents that lure, repel, and confuse pests; hormones that stop pest development or act as contraceptives; fumigants; and poisons that either kill on contact or after they have been eaten.
In IPM, pesticides may be useful when nonchemical methods fail to provide adequate control of pests. When using either organic or chemical pesticides they must be used properly or they may be ineffective or dangerous. There are many types and functions of pesticides that work in several different ways. Knowing this as well as when and how to apply pesticides will help ensure that they are being used safely and properly. Just as the application of chemicals to kill weeds is affected by the growth stage of the plant and timing of the application, the stage of growth of the pest and proper application timing is also key to the success of the chemical to kill the pest.
The label on the pesticide contains valuable information regarding its use as well as the specific directions for its use. Time spent reading the labels and becoming familiar with the information provided will result in more responsible use and success of the pesticide.
Once again, I recommend patience by waiting to see if the unwanted pest and the plants in your gardens will lure the beneficial critters to take care of the problem for you.
This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Garden Guy column: Integrated Pest Management
