The Concept Of Integrated Pest Management

Chemical control of insects first surfaced in the early 19th century, when a mix of lime or wood ashes and powdered tobacco leaves was sprinkled on crops to deter bugs. In the 20th century, pesticide use became indiscriminate. The assumption was that pesticides were the best way to control insects.

However, the question of whether pesticides could harm us and our environment became an issue with the publication of the book Silent Spring by Rachel Carson, published in 1962.

Carson's work and that of others expressing concern about the rampant use of toxic pesticides were a major force behind the development of safer ways to control pests. A program called integrated pest management (IPM), which attempts to balance the use of pesticides, was developed.

We don't want to live with pests, but we don't want to be poisoned trying to control them. On the other side of the debate, the logic is that such materials have gone through rigorous laboratory testing, some with more than 30 years of positive results with no deleterious effects.

By improving planting conditions, you put plants under less stress and make the environment less hospitable to pests. Fungi, for example, invade only with the right opportunity. Create better site conditions. Lighten the soil with compost. Keep soil evenly moist. Improve air circulation.

Start with less-damaging materials. For example, insect hormones called pheromones are available to attract predators and parasites that will kill plant pests. One product is Ladybird Lures; a ladybird can eat up to 1,000 aphids in its lifetime.

Bacteria, viruses, insecticidal soaps and horticultural oils are less toxic than pesticides. The bacteria Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) is harmless to humans, pets and wildlife but infects gypsy moths, tent and other caterpillars. It is available under several names, including Thuricide and Dipel.

Horticultural soaps are effective controls for aphids, mealybugs and other soft-bodied insects. They are sold with the words "insecticidal soap" on their labels. Horticultural oils smother mites, aphids and scale insects. Oil products are Sunspray Ultra-Fine Oil, Volck Oil Spray and others.

Weed-killers are relatively new. But first, try vinegar for a safe instant knockdown and corn gluten powder for pre-emergent weed-killer in spring and autmun. If that fails, tolerate some lawn weeds.

Pest control includes wildlife control when animals threaten plants. A safe method of deer control is to use plants that they don't like to eat, such as viburnum, hellebore, winter-flowering jasmine, daffodil and black-eyed Susan. Keep rabbits out of the garden by trying one of the many rabbit repellents around plants they eat, and install an 18-inch rabbit fence.

Try a home remedy if it doesn't involve mixing unknown chemicals – human hair in a fabric bag, hung on plants that deer like; mothballs to deter rabbits; used caffeinated-coffee granules around the base of plants that slugs eat.

IPM is a work in progress. Thirty years ago, few people cared about the means to achieving an end. Today, options are available. Use chemicals only when necessary and only according to instructions.

Article provided by Lavender Pest Control