Pest Management Tools

1. Tools needed to monitor pests

. a 16-20x hand lens
. traps
. collection bags and vials
. field maps
. flag tape
. shovel or sturdy trowel
. pocket knife
. scouting forms and record sheets

2. Use Biological Controls

Biological control uses a pest's natural enemies to help suppress pest populations. These natural enemies, collectively known as "beneficials" may be predatory insects, parasites, pathogens or nematodes. Beneficials are most effective against indirect pests. They are less effective at keeping populations of direct pests, those that attack the harvested product, at levels acceptable for commercial production.

Natural enemies can be adversely affected by the crop environment and the pesticides used to manage pest populations. IPM programs attempt to minimize adverse effects of pesticides on beneficials and take advantage of the pest suppression provided by these insects. Avoid use of pesticides that are toxic to the most important beneficials in a cropping system. Encourage a diverse habitat around the perimeter of the field where beneficial insects can live.

i. Encourage natural enemies by planting insectary plants
ii. Release natural enemies: wasps, predatory nematodes, etc.
iii. Use biological pesticides, diseases of pests

2. Cultural Controls

i. Remove cover or habitat
ii. Choose sites less favourable for pest development
ii. Avoid planting in poorly drained locations
iii. Use plants which are free from disease or virus
iv. Remove all sources of the pest, such as cull piles and dropped fruit
v. Maintain good weed control and eliminate wild hosts from orchards
vi. Manage nutrients to avoid excessively lush growth
vii. Maintain sanitation
viii. Manage Irrigation
ix. Prune to reduce hospitable environment
x. Altering soil conditions: maintain pH value and soil moisture

3. Mechanical/Physical Controls

i. Use Barriers such as trunk banding for codling moth
ii. Soil solarization for diseases
iii. Trap insects and rodents

4. Chemical Controls: Pesticides

Chemical controls include synthetic, inorganic, botanical and biological pesticides. They kill target pests, limit subsequent populations and are important tools for crop protection when used in an IPM program. Understand the pest's life cycle and apply chemicals at the stage when the pest is most vulnerable.

i.Use sprays only after proper field monitoring
ii.Target sprays to specific pest, vulnerable crops, hot spots
iii.Time sprays effectively - use weather data (e.g., Degree Days)
iv.To control pests and mites, spray according to specified
action thresholds
v.To control diseases, apply protective fungicides under conducive
weather conditions