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Q.
What is a pest?
A.
Pests are living organisms that occurs where they are not
wanted or that cause damage to crops or humans or other
animals. Examples include:
Q. What is Integrated Pest Management (IPM)?
A. IPM is an approach to
solving pest problems by applying our knowledge about pests
to prevent them from damaging crops, harming animals,
infesting buildings or otherwise interfering with our
livelihood or enjoyment of life. IPM means responding to
pest problems with the most effective, least-risk option.
Under IPM, actions are taken to control pests only when
their numbers are likely to exceed acceptable levels. Any
action taken is designed to target the troublesome pest, and
limit the impact on other organisms and the environment.
Applying pesticides to crops,
animals, buildings or landscapes on a routine basis,
regardless of need, is not IPM.
Applications of pesticides are always the last resort in an
IPM program.
"IPM Year"
graphic and text (courtesy of Cornell University).
Soil Preparation:
Growers give their plants a head start on pest problems by
choosing the proper site, testing the soil, rotating crops,
creating raised beds where necessary, and providing
sufficient organic matter.
Planting:
Growers
plant crops that tolerate common problems, altering planting
time and spacing to discourage certain diseases and insects.
Forecasting:
Weather data is consulted to predict if and
when pest outbreaks will occur. Treatments can then be
properly timed, preventing crop damage and saving sprays.
Pest Trapping:
Traps that are attractive to insects are used so that
growers can pinpoint when the pest has arrived and decide
whether control is justified.
Monitoring:
Growers inspect representative areas of the fields and
stores regularly to determine whether pests are approaching
a damaging level.
Thresholds:
Before
treating, growers wait until pest populations reach a
scientifically determined level that could cause economic
damage. Until that threshold is reached, the cost of yield
and quality loss will be less than the cost for control.
Cultural Controls:
The pest's environment it then disrupted by turning under
crop residues, sterilizing greenhouse tools, and harvesting
early.
Biological Controls:
It is necessary for growers and manufacturers to conserve
the many beneficial natural enemies already at work. They
import and use additional biologicals where effective.
Chemical Controls:
Growers select the most effective and appropriate pesticide
and properly calibrate sprayers. They then verify that
weather conditions will permit good coverage without undue
drift.
Recordkeeping:
Records of pest traps,
weather and treatment are kept for use in pest management
decisions.
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Q.
Who can use IPM?
A.
Anyone who deals with pest problems can use
IPM. Farmers, buildings and grounds maintenance personnel,
professional pest control operators, and home dwellers can
learn how to apply least-risk solutions to prevent pest
trouble or respond to problems when they arise.
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Q. Are some pesticides safer
than others?
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Q. Does household products contain Pesticides?
A. Many household products are
pesticides. All of these common products are considered
pesticides:
-
Cockroach sprays and baits
-
Insect repellents for personal use.
-
Rat and other rodent poisons.
-
Flea and tick sprays and powders.
-
Kitchen, laundry, and bath disinfectants
and sanitizers.
-
Products that kill mold and mildew.
-
Some lawn and garden products, such as
weed killers.
Q. What are
pesticide risks?
A.
The greatest risks are those to humans who
are exposed to toxic concentrations of pesticides. According
to the World Health Organization, more than 3 million people
are severely sickened and 220,000 die from pesticides each
year worldwide. Many birds are also killed each year due to
pesticide poisonings. Fish and other wildlife are also at
risk from pesticide misuse. Both wild bees and honey bees
are essential for pollination of many crops and many are
lost to pesticide exposure.
Pests can also become resistant to
pesticides, increasing control costs, crop losses or other
pest damage. Many natural enemies of pests are killed by
pesticides, freeing pests from these natural controls.
Using IPM to prevent pest problems is the
best solution for a healthy environment for everyone.
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Q. Are all
pesticides bad?
A.
Most pesticide problems are caused by a small
number of the pesticides available today. Many low risk
pesticides are available, and more are being developed each
year from both naturally occurring and synthetic materials.
However, pesticide use without regard to need or risk is
always a poor choice, and rarely solves pest problems.
Q. How does IPM
reduce risks?
A.
IPM reduces risk by reducing overall
pesticide use, using least risk pesticides when there is a
demonstrated need, and taking special protective measures to
reduce pesticide contact with living organisms and the
environment.
Q. How does IPM
differ from Organic?
A.
IPM allows the use of pesticides, fertilizers
and other materials made from synthetic materials when
necessary. Organic programs restrict pesticides to those
made from natural materials. Pesticides used in organic
programs can also have harmful effects on humans, animals
and the environment, and must be used carefully and only
when needed. IPM strategies can also help organic programs
reduce risks.
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Q. Can I tell if I have
termites?
A.
Unless there are obvious signs of active
infestation, you probably would not detect termites because
they feed hidden from view. Signs include discarded wings,
wood that sounds hollow when tapped, cracked or building
paint and termite droppings that look like saw dust (frass).
You may also see mud tubes on the walls.
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Q. Does spotting a termite
swarm mean it’s too late?
A.
If you see a termite swarm in or around your
home, or find discarded wings from swarmers,
Contact Us
immediately.
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Q. What do termites feed on?
A.
They feed on cellulose-based material that
includes wood, books, boxes, furniture and dry wall.
Termites can tunnel hundreds of feet through the soil to
reach food.
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Q. Why are termites such a
threat to my home?
A.
Termite colonies work 24 hours a day, and
infestation can go undiscovered until serious damage is
done. Careful termite detection and continued treatment are
the best ways to eradication of the pests and protection of
your property.
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Q. What are the estimated
losses in world’s supply of stored grains?
A.
Storage losses from insect attack are often
as great as those sustained by the growing crops. While
losses in growing crops are frequently obvious, losses in
stored grains are likely to be insidious. Experienced grain
men cannot detect internally infested kernels without
employing special techniques. Estimates of losses to the
world’s supply of stored grains from insect’s damage range
from 5 to 10 per cent of the world’s production. In certain
tropical and subtropical countries, estimates reach as high
as 50 per cent. (Courtesy:
Fundamentals of Applied Entomology).
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Q.
What termiticide works best?
A. There are
currently a number of termiticide (termite pesticides)
products in the market. All have been proven to be effective
in controlling termites when applied properly in accordance
with label directions. One product does not necessarily do a
better job than another in controlling termites.
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Q. What is a pesticide?
A.
A pesticide is any substance or mixture of
substances intended for:
-
preventing,
-
destroying,
-
repelling, or
-
mitigating any pest.
Though often misunderstood to refer only to insecticides,
the term pesticide also applies to herbicides, fungicides,
and various other substances |
