Most of us have had the experience of making sure we know what our children were doing at 10 o’clock. Naturally, our main concern was about their safety.
That famous old saying, the safety part that is, should also relate to the surrounding environment you live in. Your lawn and ornamental pest control operator plays a major role in the protection of your present and future safety.
In the not too distant past, it was easy for a pest control operator to rely only on harsh pesticide chemicals for pest control. If certain pests developed a resistance, there was usually another chemical to take its place.
Even today, because of the past practices, it is difficult for some companies to avoid the temptation of using pesticides and often at elevated rates. The blind optimism and the seemingly infinite possibilities of the last few decades have been replaced with skepticism and a harsh vision of reality in the new millennium. Fear drives passions as many attempt to fathom environmental issues from global warming to the fate of pesticides.
This article is intended to give association directors and property managers a basic understanding of the changing role of pest control and the need for use of ecologically sound methods and products.
The Department of Agriculture provides a list of sensitive areas that can easily suffer or be injured by chemical applications.
Included in this list are:
That famous old saying, the safety part that is, should also relate to the surrounding environment you live in. Your lawn and ornamental pest control operator plays a major role in the protection of your present and future safety.
In the not too distant past, it was easy for a pest control operator to rely only on harsh pesticide chemicals for pest control. If certain pests developed a resistance, there was usually another chemical to take its place.
Even today, because of the past practices, it is difficult for some companies to avoid the temptation of using pesticides and often at elevated rates. The blind optimism and the seemingly infinite possibilities of the last few decades have been replaced with skepticism and a harsh vision of reality in the new millennium. Fear drives passions as many attempt to fathom environmental issues from global warming to the fate of pesticides.
This article is intended to give association directors and property managers a basic understanding of the changing role of pest control and the need for use of ecologically sound methods and products.
The Department of Agriculture provides a list of sensitive areas that can easily suffer or be injured by chemical applications.
Included in this list are:
— Areas where people, especially children, pregnant women, the elderly, or the sick live, work or are cared for
— Areas where ornamental or other sensitive plantings are grown or cared for
— Areas where pests, domestic animals, and birds eat or are otherwise cared for
— Areas near surface water such as ponds, lakes or streams
— Areas near apiaries, parks or playgrounds
— Areas with porous soil or terrain accessible to storm sewer drains
Without a doubt all condominium and association property can easily be considered sensitive areas.
Most association residents, directors, or property managers have few daily concerns about how pesticides affect their environment. Given the option, these same people will always choose the least environmentally disruptive and toxic pest control available.
Associations that no longer want to take their surrounding environment for granted should meet with their pest control contractor to determine if their practices are keeping pace with new and safer technology.
Any licensed pest control operator who plans to be in business in the future is educating themselves about alternative pest control methods which are environmentally benign. The routine spray programs of blanket applications is fast becoming a thing of the past. Your operator should no longer look at the calendar to know if it is time for another blanket treatment.
He or she, your pest controller, should be eager to offer you a documented report of their pest control strategies.
IPM (integrated pest management) should make up the major part of their pest control strategy. IPM is the use of many tactics to maintain pests below levels where they may cause unacceptable injury or damage to the landscape.
The goal with IPM is to choose a control that will be effective while causing the least harm to people and the environment. Frequent site inspections must be made to analyze any pest problems. When signs first appear the problem is naturally small. The smaller the problems, the smaller the measure of control required. Pest control selection is based on the extent of the problem and the best product for control. Pesticides should be applied only if necessary.
If a treatment is required, the timing and placement are critical for control. Research has proven that pesticide use may be reduced if the treatments are made at the stage when pests are easiest to control and if they are applied only on the correct target area.
The modern pest control specialist uses more of a labor intensified program than a chemical intensified program. Regular site monitoring enables them to be aware of key pests and create a data base of information that will help predict future pest problems.
Pest control employees, who make the treatments, must be trained to make on-site decisions in order to implement the best IPM tactic.
After determining the type of pest, when to treat, and area to treat, the next decision is the product or control to use. The following are types of controls;
The goal with IPM is to choose a control that will be effective while causing the least harm to people and the environment. Frequent site inspections must be made to analyze any pest problems. When signs first appear the problem is naturally small. The smaller the problems, the smaller the measure of control required. Pest control selection is based on the extent of the problem and the best product for control. Pesticides should be applied only if necessary.
If a treatment is required, the timing and placement are critical for control. Research has proven that pesticide use may be reduced if the treatments are made at the stage when pests are easiest to control and if they are applied only on the correct target area.
The modern pest control specialist uses more of a labor intensified program than a chemical intensified program. Regular site monitoring enables them to be aware of key pests and create a data base of information that will help predict future pest problems.
Pest control employees, who make the treatments, must be trained to make on-
After determining the type of pest, when to treat, and area to treat, the next decision is the product or control to use. The following are types of controls;
– Biological controls - Involves the application of natural enemies of the target pest like parasites and pathogens, or production altering by the use of sterile males.
– Natural controls - The use of feeding deterrents, insect growth regulators, and other natural organic compounds that have very low mammalian toxicity.
– Soft products - The use of organic based insecticidal soaps and horticultural oils that affect the cell membranes of the pest in one form or another.
– Cultural controls - The disruption of the pest cycle or reduction of the pest by pruning at optimum times and maintaining the landscapes vigor by a good irrigation and fertility program.
– Host control - The replacement or the rotation of a host plant to a plant that has a natural repelling or resistance to the pest.
Naturally, you cannot become a pest control expert overnight, however, after gaining some basic knowledge of IPM, you should be able to make a common sense decision if your pest controller is protecting you when he or she is protecting your landscape.
There is a wide choice of products available for a pest controller to choose from. You may want to check with your pest control company concerning the products your landscape receives.
Do you want to be a steward of the environment? The challenge belongs to all of us. If we do not protect our habitat, the future may list humans as one of the endangered species.
More information is available from the Department of Agriculture through your County Extension service.
Verlin Gillingham, President -
It’s 10 o’clock!
Do You Know Where Your Pest Controller Is?
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