• Affect the productivity and reproduction of a plant– Can even destroy the plant

• Animals– Deer, skunks, armadillos, raccoons, rabbits, rats

• Diseases: An organism that reacts with its environment to cause abnormality– Environmental– Nutrient deficiencies– Pollution– Weather

Plant PestsPlant Pests

• Abiotic: Noninfectious diseases• Biotic: Infectious and transmittable diseases

caused by pathogens– Pathogen: Disease causing organism• Bacteria• Fungi• Viruses

DiseasesDiseases

• A class of arthropods with segmented bodies and legs, exoskeleton, two antennae, and compound eyes– Over 800,00 species in the world– Less than 1,000 are plant pests– Less than 100 are problems for turf and ornamental

plants• Some, like lady bugs and praying mantis, eat harmful

insects

InsectsInsects

• Worm-like creatures that live in the soil• Do not have segmented bodies or appendages– 2,000 of the species are plant parasites

• Ecto-parasitic• Endo-parasitic• Semi-endo-parasitic

NematodesNematodes

• A weed is any plant that is growing where it should not• They force the desired plant to compete for:– Light– Water– Nutrients– Space

• Foster insects and disease

• Take away from the appearance of a landscape

WeedsWeeds

• Biological– Using living organisms as predators

• Cultural– Management techniques to limit the presence or

severity of pests• Mechanical– Traps, temperature extremes, hand removal, cultivation

• Genetic– Uses biotechnology to manipulate pest’s genes

• Chemical– Pesticides

Controlling PestsControlling Pests

Pesticide LabelsPesticide Labels

Includes the pesticide’s:•Name•Ingredient list•Directions for use•Statement of practical treatment•Precautionary Statements

• The PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE):– Long-sleeve shirt and pants or overalls– Rubber boots– Hair pulled back and in a cap or hat– Rubber gloves– Goggles– Respirator or oxygen mask– Rubber bands over the cuff of

pants and boots

Pesticide ApplicationPesticide Application

• Limit pesticide purchase to the amount needed for a single growing season

• Never store near flammable materials, food, medicine, or cleaning supplies

• Mark with purchase date• When disposing DO NOT contaminate:

– Water supplies– Ground– Air

Storage and DisposalStorage and Disposal

• Best management practices (BMPs): use research and knowledge and apply them to pest management

• Integrated pest management (IPM): Goal is to maintain high quality plants with the least amount of environmental damage

Integrated Pest ManagementIntegrated Pest Management

• Action Thresholds– Level of pest control needed

based on pest populations and environmental conditions

• Identify and Monitor Pests– Look at the pest and host

• Prevention– Keep pests from being a threat

• Control– Evaluate all possible measures:

mechanical, biological, chemical

Integrated Pest ManagementIntegrated Pest Management