Integrated Pest Management

February 2001

BLACKBERRIES - Red necked cane borers produce gall-like swelling in blackberries as its larvae tunnel in the canes. The larvae passes the winter in the plant and then pupates in the spring. Adults emerge generally in May. A good control measure is to prune and destroy infested canes. Keep in mind this control practice must be extended to wild plants around the immediate area to be most effective.

Crown borers may be controlled in blackberries this spring using a soil drench of Diazinon or Guthion before berries begin to form. Apply as full coverage drench in 200 gallons of water to lower portion of canes and crowns. Refer to individual labels for rates and precautions.

BLACKBERRIES & STRAWBERRIES -Strawberry weevils will soon be emerging and attacking our berry crops. We generally spray for them around the first week of April when crops begin to bloom, give or take a week. Check your fields closely for this small brown to black weevil. They will be found laying their eggs in bloom buds and then cutting the buds off. Control them with one to two pounds active ingredient of Sevin 50 WP, 80 WP, XLR or 4F. If application is timed correctly only one is needed, since only one generation occurs on our berry crops. Refer to labels for precautions.

COMMERCIAL VEGETABLES - Broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, collards, mustard and turnip fields are infested with leaf feeding insects. Several formulations of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt's) are available for leaf feeding caterpillar (worm) control with no time limitation between last application and harvest. Lannate, Pounce, Ambush and Thiodan will also control these pests with label restrictions depending on rates used. A tank mix of Bt. and one of the above insecticides will also give very good control of worms. Two new products, Spintor 2 SC and Confirm 2 F may be used for worm control on cole crops and leafy vegetables. Refer to pesticide labels before using any insecticide. Other insecticides are also labeled for use on some of these commercial vegetable crops.

DUST MITE CONTROL - There are two basic approaches to managing dust mite allergy: (1) treatment of the patient, and (2) modification of the patient's environment to minimize exposure to the mite. The following abatement measures may be helpful:

  1. Remove or modify furnishings that accumulate dust and provide habitat for the mites.
  2. Encase mattress, box springs and pillows in allergen-impermeable covers.
  3. Attempt to lower relative humidity inside the home.
  4. Maintain good levels of sanitation and housecleaning.
  5. Consider the use of allergen-trapping air filters.
  6. Consider treating carpets with an acaracide (products containing benzyl benzoate or tannic acid - read labels).

FIRE ANTS - Soil temperatures are warming up (60oF) causing imported fire ants to increase in number and activity. For homeowner control in lawns, mound treat, using Amdro Fire Ant Bait at 5 tablespoons around mound, Award Bait at 3 tablespoons around mound or Distance Fire Ant Bait at 4 tablespoons around mound.

Mound drenches may prove to be the most popular treatment with homeowners because you get immediate results. For lawns use one of the following products in one gallon of water per mound: Diazinon 25 E at 2 tablespoons; Dursban 2 E at 1 tablespoon; Orthene 75 S at 1 teaspoon; or Sevin 50 WP at 1 tablespoon. Treat mound and four-foot diameter surrounding the mound. Do not apply Diazinon to commercial turf. Do not disturb nests during treatment process.

For home or commercial gardens, the above rates of Diazinon, Orthene or Sevin may be used. Orthene may cause some root injury if applied in contact with roots. Refer to labels.

FRUIT TREES - Scales Infestations should be controlled during the dormant time of fruit trees. This is the time after leaves are off but before buds begin to swell. To be effective, two applications of a dormant oil may be necessary at least one week and not more than ten days apart. Complete coverage of all limbs and trunk is necessary for scale control. Read label usages and precautions.

GREENHOUSE TOMATOES - Whitefly infestations have been reported in a number of our greenhouse tomato operations. Applications of Thiodan (50 WP, 3 EC), Fulex (Thiodan smoke fumigant), Malathion (10A, 57 EC, 25 WP), Dichlorvos (DDVP, Vapona), Pyrellin EC, Pyronone or Azatin EC will control this pest. If heavy infestations occur, applications on a two-day interval for about 21 days may be necessary. M-Pede insecticide may be added to companion insecticide to increase control. Alternate family of insecticides when possible. Good success has been reported using fulex for the first two applications followed by an insecticide spray as needed. Check labels for usages and restrictions.

Fungus gnats are a problem in several of our greenhouse operations. They develop in the potted media and may become a nuisance. If heavy populations occur, plant root systems may be damaged causing secondary disease infections. Control larvae by drenching potted media with a solution of Bacillus thuringiensis (Gnatrol) or Azatin EC. Adults may be controlled with Malathion spray. To help prevent infestations, do not overwater plants.

HOUSEHOLD - Homeowners should be aware termites generally begin swarming during March and April. Don't confuse them with swarming ants. Ants will have a very narrow waist and elbow shaped antennae. Termites have a thick waist and straight antennae. Subterranean termites usually have their colonies in the soil and feed on materials containing cellulose. Structures may be protected by placing a chemical barrier in the soil between the building and termite colony. Homeowners may use Ortho-Klor (12.6% Dursban) for termite control. However, it may be necessary to contract the services of a professional pest control operator.

LAWNS - Homeowners should be aware very slender and long (8 to 16 inches) gordiid or "horsehair" worms may appear now in water troughs, cabbage heads and sandy soils. They are actually beneficial nematodes which feed on insects. They attract attention by squirming and twisting about and knotting themselves into a loose "ball". There is no need to be alarmed by their presence. They occur most frequently during excessive rainfall.

ORNAMENTALS - Aphids are a problem on our ornamentals this time of year. They are generally found on new growth in the spring or early summer. They may be either on stems or leaves. While feeding they remove large amounts of sap through sucking mouth parts, causing the plant stem and leaves to wilt. The black color of sooty mold will mask the leaf so it may not get enough sunlight to properly manufacture food for the plant. Aphids will attack most all our ornamental shrubs and trees. They may be controlled with foliar applications of Cygon, Diazinon, Malathion, Orthene or Thiodan as needed. Refer to labels for usages and precautions.

PEACHES - Peach tree and lesser peach tree borers are infesting our peach orchards. Peach tree borers feed in the lower part of the trunk usually just above the ground. Lesser peach tree borers feed in the upper part of the trunk and branches, most frequently from forks of limbs. Masses of jelly gum with bits of brown sawdust are associated with feedings of both borers. Insecticide applications of Thiodan or Lorsban beginning at petal-fall and continuing after harvest for 2 to 3 applications at 3 to 4 week intervals should control them. Refer to insecticide labels for usages and precautions.

PESTICIDE REUSE - People soon will be reusing pesticides they have had stored over the winter. They should examine stored pesticides carefully before using them this growing season. Check containers for leaks, cracks, tears, and erosion. Clean up spills and transfer contents of a damaged container to a clean one with the same labeled pesticide. If disposal is necessary, dispose according to label instructions.

TERMITES - Look for Termidor, a new termiticide, soon. This product reportedly controls termites for five years or more. The active ingredient, fipronil, is already registered for many ag, ornamental, and home uses. (Chemically Speaking, 11-99)

VEGETABLES - Root maggots can seriously damage broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage and cauliflower transplants. Adult maggots are small flies that lay their eggs at the base of new transplants. On hatching, the larvae (maggots) tunnel into the plant stem and roots. Diazinon 50 WP may be used in the transplant water for control of this pest. Refer to label for usages and precautions.

J. Pat Harris
Extension Entomologist