Identification. Detecting the presence of a pest and identifying it to species. Closely related species may be very similar in appearance, but have significantly different pest potential.
Quantification. Sampling to measure population density. How is population density changing with time?
Determination. Finding out where the population stands relative to economic injury levels. How much more growth potential is left in the population?
Specification. What type of control is warranted? What tools or resources are needed to implement a control operation?
Application. Taking whatever steps are necessary to suppress the pest population.
Evaluation. Confirm efficacy of control tactics by resampling. Re-evaluate the situation and take appropriate actions if needed.
Monday, April 14, 2008
Integrated Control
Just as ground, air, and naval forces are integrated to achieve military objectives, the tactical weapons of pest control can also be integrated to achieve more effective management of pest populations. Development of resistance, effects on non-target organisms, and damage to the environment can all be minimized with selective and judicious use of multi-faceted control tactics. This approach, commonly known as integrated control, requires an understanding of ecological principles as well as a thorough knowledge of the pest's life history and population dynamics.
Integrated pest control is not a new concept. It was commonly practiced in the years before synthetic organic insecticides became widely available. But the old ways were largely abandoned after World War II because chemical weapons were so effective, convenient, and inexpensive. Once we recognized the dangers of over-dependence on a single control strategy, the principles of integrated pest control gained renewed acceptance.
Today, integrated pest control forms the foundation of Integrated Pest Management programs (IPM) that take a comprehensive and multi-disciplinary approach to solving pest problems. Insects, weeds, plant diseases, and even some vertebrate pests (e.g., birds and rodents) are included under the IPM umbrella. These programs emphasize management rather than eradication. They take a broad ecological approach to pest problems, focusing on all members of a pest complex in an effort to identify the optimum combination of control tactics that will reduce pest populations below economic thresholds and maintain these levels with the least possible impact on the rest of the environment. This approach, often called biorational pest control, relies heavily on cultural and biological tactics that are supplemented with carefully timed applications of highly selective chemical weapons.
The complexity of modern IPM programs will continue to increase as we add
Integrated pest control is not a new concept. It was commonly practiced in the years before synthetic organic insecticides became widely available. But the old ways were largely abandoned after World War II because chemical weapons were so effective, convenient, and inexpensive. Once we recognized the dangers of over-dependence on a single control strategy, the principles of integrated pest control gained renewed acceptance.
Today, integrated pest control forms the foundation of Integrated Pest Management programs (IPM) that take a comprehensive and multi-disciplinary approach to solving pest problems. Insects, weeds, plant diseases, and even some vertebrate pests (e.g., birds and rodents) are included under the IPM umbrella. These programs emphasize management rather than eradication. They take a broad ecological approach to pest problems, focusing on all members of a pest complex in an effort to identify the optimum combination of control tactics that will reduce pest populations below economic thresholds and maintain these levels with the least possible impact on the rest of the environment. This approach, often called biorational pest control, relies heavily on cultural and biological tactics that are supplemented with carefully timed applications of highly selective chemical weapons.
The complexity of modern IPM programs will continue to increase as we add
Systematic insecticides
Systemic insecticides are a special type of stomach poison. These compounds are absorbed by the tissues of a plant (or animal) without ill effects. Insect pests ingest the insecticide when they feed on the treated organism. Systemic insecticides are sometimes included in the diets of domestic animals to protect them from internal parasites (e.g., cattle grubs and other bot flies). Plant systemics can be incorporated into the soil around ornamentals or bedding plants. The insecticides are absorbed by the roots and translocated to leaves, stems, and flowers. If the insect that feeds on a treated plant doesn't acquire a lethal dose of insecticide, it may at least be deterred from further feeding.
More aboutToxicity Although systemic insecticides are commonly applied to horticultural plantings, they are not as useful for many food crops because the insecticide remains in the food after harvest.
Insecticides contain one or more active ingredients that serve as toxicants (poisons). In their purest form (technical grade), these chemicals may be too toxic, too unstable, or too volatile to be handled or applied safely. Therefore, technical grade insecticide is always mixed with other compounds, known as adjuvants, in order to improve the performance, safety, or handling characteristics of a commercial product. These mixtures (technical grade insecticide plus adjuvants) are known as formulations. Almost anything could be an adjuvant: pumice, ground walnut shells, buffalo gourd root powder, vegetable oil, etc. These compounds are usually listed on the label as "inert ingredients", but they are certainly not inactive. Many adjuvants are proprietary products, protected by patents and closely guarded as industrial secrets. They may represent 90-95% of the total volume of a commercial formulation
More aboutToxicity Although systemic insecticides are commonly applied to horticultural plantings, they are not as useful for many food crops because the insecticide remains in the food after harvest.
Insecticides contain one or more active ingredients that serve as toxicants (poisons). In their purest form (technical grade), these chemicals may be too toxic, too unstable, or too volatile to be handled or applied safely. Therefore, technical grade insecticide is always mixed with other compounds, known as adjuvants, in order to improve the performance, safety, or handling characteristics of a commercial product. These mixtures (technical grade insecticide plus adjuvants) are known as formulations. Almost anything could be an adjuvant: pumice, ground walnut shells, buffalo gourd root powder, vegetable oil, etc. These compounds are usually listed on the label as "inert ingredients", but they are certainly not inactive. Many adjuvants are proprietary products, protected by patents and closely guarded as industrial secrets. They may represent 90-95% of the total volume of a commercial formulation
Conventional Insecticides -- The Killer Chemicals
Conventional insecticides are among the most popular chemical control agents because they are readily available, rapid acting, and highly reliable. A single application may control several different pest species and usually forms a persistent residue that continues to kill insects for hours or even days after application. Because of their convenience and effectiveness, insecticides quickly became standard practice for pest control during the 1960's and 1970's. Overuse, misuse, and abuse of these chemicals have led to widespread criticism of chemical control and, in a few cases, resulted in long-term environmental consequences.
The effectiveness of an insecticide usually depends on when and where the pest encounters it. Most insecticides are absorbed directly through an insect's exoskeleton. These compounds are known as contact poisons because they are effective "on contact". Other insecticides act as fumigants. They are released in the vapor state (as gases) and enter the insect's body through its tracheal system. Fumigants are most effective when they are used in an enclosed area such as a greenhouse, a warehouse, or a grain bin. Still other compounds must be ingested before they have an effect. These are known as stomach poisons. They often work more slowly than fumigants or contact poisons, but they are still useful for certain types of pest control in homes and businesses
The effectiveness of an insecticide usually depends on when and where the pest encounters it. Most insecticides are absorbed directly through an insect's exoskeleton. These compounds are known as contact poisons because they are effective "on contact". Other insecticides act as fumigants. They are released in the vapor state (as gases) and enter the insect's body through its tracheal system. Fumigants are most effective when they are used in an enclosed area such as a greenhouse, a warehouse, or a grain bin. Still other compounds must be ingested before they have an effect. These are known as stomach poisons. They often work more slowly than fumigants or contact poisons, but they are still useful for certain types of pest control in homes and businesses
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