Integrated Pest Management

5.1

Pests• In undisturbed ecosystems pests

are held in check by natural enemies•They can control 50-90% of their population

• Pesticides include synthetic chemicals•Insecticides, herbicides, fungicides and rodenticides.

Pesticides

• Most contain harmful chemicals•They are harmful to humans and the environment

• Because of this people wanted to get rid of them•Unrealistic, farmers had become dependent on them

Introduction of IPM• Uses a mix of methods

•Traps, disease resistant plants, natural pest-killing substances and predators

•If they don’t work, then we use chemicals

• IPM requires a pest manager to understand how the pests live.

Pests around the world•An organism that is a pest in

one area may be beneficial in another area•Ex. Bees in your home, Bees in your garden

•Leaf cutter ants destroy foliage, but aid in the growth of some plants

Forest Pests• In healthy forest ecosystems,

pests and other organisms live in balance

•But 98% of forests in PA have been logged, making them vulnerable to pest invasion

Forest Pests

• Balsam woolly adelgid, Frazer fir

• Hemlock woolly adelgid, Hemlock

• Gypsy moth caterpillar- Oak

Exotic Pests

•Organism that is not native to the areas where they cause damage•Result of world trade, No native predators

Exotic Pests

•APHIS- Animal and Plant health inspection Service

•Patrols U.S. ports and inspects imported goods for exotic pests.•1985-1998, 7000 seizures of exotic pests found on wooded items alone

Exotic Pests

•Their natural predators did not travel with them

•Trees are especially vulnerable•White pine blister rust, chestnut blight, and Dutch elm disease

Exotic PestsEuropean gypsy moth, •Arrived in North America in 1868-1869

•Tried to get rid of it but failed (1890)

Exotic Pests• Asian long horned

beetle (Insect)•New York (1996) •Came from China•Threat to Maple trees and other hard woods

Exotic Pests• Dutch Elm Disease

(fungus)•(1930) in New York City

•Killed more then 2/3 of the elm trees in the country

Exotic Pests• Chestnut Blight

•China (1900’s)•Wiped out almost all

Chestnut trees from New England to Georgia

•Decreased food source, nuts

•Black bears, turkeys

Exotic Pests•Starlings (birds)

•Came from Europe

•Late 1800’s•Compete with livestock for food

•Spread disease

Exotic Pests• Asian Lady Beetle

(Insect)•Intentionally

introduce•1970’s and

1980’s •Control aphids

and other insects•Nuisance to

homeowners