PESTS and PESTICIDES

Integrated Pest Management IPM

This is a sustainable approach to pest control. Problems may be avoided with cultural measures such as placing plants in their proper environment: correct light, water, soil. Learn to identify beneficial insects. Assassin bugs a.k.a wheel bugs, for example, prey on such plant pests as Japanese beetles. Only 3% of our insects harm crops. Another preventative measure is to observe your plants daily for any changes. The sooner a problem is noted the easier it is to resolve. For example, when you notice Japanese beetles on your plants you could tap them into a jar with water on the bottom. Close the lid. When they are dead tap them onto your compost pile. Avoid Japanese beetle bag traps as they attract beetles to your yard.

Read PSU's Entomology Dept's What is IPM ? Integrated Pest Management, to learn the safest pest control methods. Site includes Pest Problem Solver.

 

Disposal

Read and follow directions on the pesticide label which is a legal document. For further info call the PA Dept of Envir. Protection 570.327.3646 or your landfill or transfer station to find out how to properly dispose of a pesticide.

 

Pesticide Alternatives

Pesticide Profiles

If you choose to use a pesticide read, understand and follow all label instructions before using any pesticide product. Never use any pesticide in a manner inconsistent with the U.S. EPA approved labelling.  The label is the law.

Greenbook Crop Protection Reference –Complete Herbicide, Insecticide, Fungicide Info

EXTOXNET Pesticide Information Profiles – multiple universities; scroll down page to view Pesticide Information Profiles and other links.

National Pesticide Information Center – Oregon State and U. S. EPA; general and technical pesticide fact sheets, contact info for manufacturers; signal words topic fact sheet, etc.

Pesticide Product Label System - U.S. EPA

 

Multipurpose

Home Garden Pest Problem Solver - PSU horticultural info; choose from list along right column.

Insect and Mite Control on Woody Ornamentals and Herbaceous Perennials - OSU

Integrated Pest Management IPM - PSU Woody Ornamental IPM; Pest Diagnosis; photos and fact sheets.

Internet Center for Wildlife Damage Management - Cornell, Clemson, UNE - Lincoln, Utah State U.; Damgae ID; Rodents; Carnivores; Other Mammals; Birds; Reptiles, Amphibians, etc.

Landscape Pests - U of IL; photos and text, two sets of Bad Guys.

Ohioline Yard & Garden – OSU; insects & pests, beneficial insect sources (source listed for Danville does not exist).  

Pennsylvania Pesticide Information Retrieval System PAPIRS – PA Dept. of Ag.

Pesticide Education Program - PSU

Public Health Pest Problem Solver - PSU; scroll entire page.

Solution Source - Pesticide Safety, PSU

 

Insect Pests

See Insects page.

 

Other Pests

Bats - A Homeowner's Guide to Northeastern Bats and Bat Problems, PSU. 1.45 MB. Learn the benefits of bats such as a single bat's ability to consume 500 insects/hour, including mosquitoes. Big brown bats consume June bugs, cucumber beetles, green and brown stink bugs, and leafhoppers. Certain forest bat species consume tent caterpillar moths. Also learn how to get a bat out of your house and to prevent bats from entering buildings.

Bat Conservation International - "BCI's mission is to teach people the value of bats, to protect and preserve critical bat habitats, and to advance scientific knowledge through research."BC

Pennsylvania Bats - Photos and detailed info by PA Game Commission.

 

Birds

Controlling Birds Around Farm Buildings - pubs.cas.psu.edu/FreePubs/pdfs/uh126.pdf; includes Legal Status and Permit Process.

Controlling Birds on Fruit Crops - http://pubs.cas.psu.edu/FreePubs/pdfs/uh121.pdf; includes legal status.

Keeping birds safe around windows - Cornell Lab of Ornithology, includes following topics (scroll down link to see all topics):

Why Birds Collide With Windows, Why Birds Attack Windows, Safeguarding Your Windows For Birds

Dealing With Predators and Pests in Your Yard - Cornell Lab of Ornithology, includes following topics (scroll down link to see all topics):

European Starlings, Woodpeckers hammering on houses, Unwanted Birds at Feeders, Hawks, Aggressive hummingbirds, Canada Geese, Squirrels, House Cats, Rats and Mice, Bears, Other Mammals, Ants, Bees and Wasps.

Internet Center for Wildlife Damage Management - Birds includes Bird Dispersal Techniques, etc.

Deer

Low-Cost Slant Fence Excludes Deer from Plantings - VA Tech, VA Cooperative Extension, VA State U.'5-foot high electrically charged fence. 

 

Earthworms

Earthworms - 12 p PDF and pub in office. Consider removing mulch around patio to prevent earthworms from massing on patio.

Earthworms as Pests in Home Lawns - NC State; possibly use ammonium sulfate to decrease pH below 4.5 based on soil tests and turf requirements.