Pest Management

No one likes to have perfected their landscape only to find it struggling soon after.  Yard pests can include weeds, diseases, insects and even wildlife.  Weeds are considered any plant that is not growing where you want it.  This could be something you planted last year and is returning as a volunteer or something that has moved across your landscape.    Diseases are a result of fungi, bacteria, viruses and other organisms including some that may not be classified yet.  Insects are the first thing that I think of when I think of pests.  They can be big like a grasshopper or so small that you can’t see them until the damage is done.  When I think of wildlife the first thing that I think of is a deer.  But they aren’t the only ones doing damage, rabbits, slugs, mites and birds are also culprits.

The first step is to identify the problem. Careful identification of the problem is essential before control practices can be used. Some insect damage may appear to be a disease, especially if no visible insects are present. Nutrient problems may also mimic diseases. Herbicide damage resulting from misapplication of chemicals also can be mistaken for other problems.

Because each scenario is different I have linked to Ohioline to help you identify and manage your pests.  This is another helpful article that discusses Integrated Pest Management (IPM)

On The Farm

Proper pest management on the farm involves a variety of practices, such as rotating crops to reduce disease and insect problems, and establishing tall grass hedges to provide habitat for beneficial insects. Many farmers now monitor their fields regularly -- a practice called scouting -- to keep track of insect and weed populations. Only when populations reach a level where an unacceptable amount of damage is likely are direct control measures initiated. When pesticides are necessary, farmers fill and clean tanks away from water sources, mix only necessary amounts, and apply only to land where problems exist.

Many farmers are using IPM techniques for effective and economic control of pests. IPM programs have been developed for numerous crops including apples, grapes, corn, and alfalfa. Based on monitoring of specific pests, farmers apply only those pesticides needed for adequate control.