Integrated Pest Management September 2000 Commercial Vegetables - Turnip greens are being infested by several foliage feeding insects. Aphids and leafhoppers may be controlled with diazinon, malathion or cygon. Caterpillars (worms) may be controlled with methomyl (Lannate), Sevin XLR, Sevin 80 WP, Sevin 50 WP or Dipel (Javelin, Thuricide, Cutlass, Bacillus thuringiensis). Sevin will not control loopers. Read labels. Diazinon - Novartis will not support indoor uses for diazinon. The EPA informed the company that additional data would be required to maintain indoor uses. Novartis decided that these registrations would not be worth the research investment. The company's decision will eliminate uses in greenhouses, residential settings, commercial buildings, hospitals, schools, museums, sports facilities, stores and warehouses. Novartis and EPA will meet to discuss the terms and time-table for the 'voluntary' cancellation. Read the details at www.cpus.novartis.com/diazinon. Gasoline - There are three very important reasons to use pesticides instead of gasoline to control pests. Gasoline is very dangerous. It's explosive, poisonous, and carcinogenic. Even the fumes cause brain damage. Gasoline is a nonselective biocide. In addition to the pest, it will kill the grass, nontarget animals, etc. Gasoline does not kill pests as well as pesticides. Pesticides are specifically designed to control certain pests. Companies invest million of dollars to develop and market pesticides because these particular chemicals control pests better than anything else. Greenhouse Ornamentals - Whiteflies are attacking our greenhouse poinsettias. Label rates of Oxamyl 10 G, Marathon 1% granules, Merit 75 WP, Resmethrin (SPB-1382 EC or Pt 1200 aerosols), Mavrik (fluvalinate) 2F, Thiodan (endosulfan), Tame (fenpropothrin) 2.4 EC, orthene 75 SP, or Tolstar (bifenthrin) may be used for control. Water granules in good and apply foliar spray to the point of runoff. Thorough coverage is necessary for control. If populations are high, spray every 2 to 3 days for 21 days and alternate family of chemicals. The sweet potato whitefly is present in several of our greenhouses and nurseries. Read labels carefully. Household - Boxelder adults are looking for warm overwintering quarters, but will not harm clothing, food or structures. They may soil areas due to their excrement and dead bodies. They also produce a foul smell if mashed. Adults are about 1/2" long, brown-black or gray with longitudinal red stripes on their thorax, red markings on the lower portion of the wings and a bright red abdomen. They may be controlled with diazinon, malathion, or dursban. Read labels. Clothes moths and carpet beetles are very destructive and infest most homes in Mississippi. They attack blankets, clothing, carpets, draperies, brushes and upholstery. Good housekeeping aids in the control of the pests. A household spray containing diazinon, dursban or dichlorvos (Vapona) gives good control of clothes moths. Remove clothes and objects from closets and spray surfaces of all closet walls. Sprays containing diazinon, dursban or malathion will control carpet beetles. Read and fallow all label precautions. Cockroaches are a major problem to Mississippi homeowners today. We have five species which are troublesome in our homes and other buildings. These are German, American, Oriental, brown-banded and smokey brown cockroaches. The key to successful control is the use of preventive measures including good housekeeping. Chemical control may be necessary. If so, residual sprays as chlorpyrifos, diazinon, propoxur, resmethrin or synergized pyrethrins may be used. Dust insecticides containing bendiocarb or boric acid may be used. There are baits containing boric acid, chlorpyrifos and propoxur which are effective. Aerosols may be used but have less residual activity. Refer to individual labels for usages. House plants will be moved into homes with the approaching of cold weather. Inspect plants carefully before moving them inside. Also inspect any new plants carefully before purchasing and observe for signs of insect infestation or damage. Insects on plants moved indoors may start an epidemic on house plants. Among the most common pests are aphids (plant lice), scales, mealy bugs, and spider mites. Minor infestations may be controlled with a hose sprayer at the kitchen sink or by cleaning with a moist sponge. Be sure to use lukewarm water. For severe infestations or where large numbers of plants are involved, chemical control may be needed using a chemical as malathion. Read labels carefully for usages and precautions. Pantry pests as flour beetles, moths, cigarette beetles, granary weevils, rice weevils and many more are found at various times in our food pantries. Most are brought into our homes in infested food, either loose or packaged. Many items are susceptible, including spices, hot pepper, ice cream cones, cereals, grits, cake mixes and many others. Millions of dollars are lost every year in stored foods and other products. The basic fundamentals in controlling stored food pests are exclusion, chemical treatment, regular inspections and cleaning of shelves. Applications of 0.5% diazinon, 2% malathion, or 1% baygon to cracks, corners and dried surfaces of shelves will aid in control. Refer to labels for proper use precautions. Soldier beetle larvae may invade households at this time of year. The larvae are about 1" long and are black with a velvet textured abdomen and a brown head. Larvae may be found in basements or garages. They may be swept up and discarded. They will not infest a house nor will they attack food or other items. Human Health - People have an increasing concern about Lyme disease which is transmitted by deer ticks. With the oncoming and occurrence of various hunting seasons, there is reason for concern which has resulted in a corresponding increase in the use of insect repellents. Commonly used repellents contain the chemical, N, N-tiethyl-m-touamide, also known as DEET. DEET has been used for a number of years by millions of people. Before going hunting, be sure to wear protective clothing and tuck pants' legs into boots and use an approved repellent to keep ticks off. READ LABELS! Mosquitoes - The OFF! Company sends these pointers about biting mosquitoes. Bigger people are often more attractive to mosquitoes because these are larger targets, and they produce more mosquito attractants, namely CO2 and lactic acid. Active or fidgety people also produce more CO2 and lactic acid. Women are usually more attractive to mosquitoes than men because of the difference in hormones produced by the sexes. Dark clothing attracts mosquitoes. Some perfumes and other fragrances attract mosquitoes. Movement increased mosquito biting up to 50% in some research tests. Unkempt lawns and dense bushes are favorite resting sites for mosquitoes. A full moon increased mosquito activity 500% in one study. (OFF! Mosquito Bite Prevention Guide)   Ornamentals - Keep a check on elm trees for elm leaf beetles. Both adult and larval stages are plant feeders exclusively on elm trees. Most damage is done by the larva, which skeletonizes leaves. The adults are generally more of a nuisance overwintering in homes in the fall or winter. When controlling them on elm trees, use sevin, orthene or methoxychlor at label rates. Bagworms continue to be a problem on junipers, arborvitae, pine and many other ornamental trees and shrubs. Females will lay their eggs in their silken bags made of bits of leaves. Adults then fall to the ground and die, leaving the silken bag enclosed with eggs attached to twigs and limbs for overwintering. The most logical and best method of control is to hand pick the bags from limbs and twigs and throw them on the ground for ants or other predators to feed on or collect and burn them in a container. Bt, sevin, cygon, diazinon, malathion or dursban may be used for control. Read labels. Lace bugs continue to infest our azaleas. They suck sap from plants and cause grayish, splotchy, balanced appearance to the upper leaf surface and dark spots of excrement on the under surface. There may be two or more generations each year found on the lower leaf surface. Sevin or malathion at label rates will control them. Read labels carefully. Stinging Caterpillars - Most people know that bees, wasps, hornets and some ants can sting to defend themselves or their nests. Only a few people realize, usually from first hand experience, that handling or brushing against some caterpillars can produce some painful results, also. Recognizing the few stinging caterpillar species may prevent unpleasant encounters. Common stinging caterpillars in the early fall include the saddleback caterpillar and the puss caterpillar. Most encounters with stinging caterpillars result from accidently brushing against leaves on which they are feeding. The chances of running into these insects are relatively low, but occasionally one species may be very abundant. Also, the more time spent in wooded areas, the greater the opportunity for contact. Most of these caterpillars are distinctly marked or brightly colored. This allows you to see and avoid them. If you find one on yourself, don't brush it off or slap it with a bare hand. Use a stick or other object to remove it carefully. Hollow spines may break off in clothing or gloves. Stored Seed - Germination of seeds is greatly reduced or destroyed if not properly treated for insects. Most stored seeds are attacked by insects; however, a preference may be shown to wheat and corn. Seed carried over from one year to the next should be examined closely for signs of insect activity. After proper sanitation procedures have been followed, bins and seed may be sprayed with premium grade (57%) malathion. Refer to labels for crop recommendations and restrictions. Sweet Potatoes - After potatoes are harvested, use Imidan 5 Dust at 2-4 ozs. per bushel when storing. Cover all surfaces using only one application. Be sure to wash potatoes before using. Legally, potatoes infested with weevils should not be moved from the farm until first cleared with the Division of Plant Industry. There is a quarantine on this pest. Termites - Termites tend to shift their colonies deeper into the soil as cool weather approaches. They generally don't swarm or establish new colonies this time of year. Some species of ants may produce swarmers now. These will seek overwintering sites and become active next spring. Vegetables - Watch for aphids, leaf-feeding caterpillars and flea beetles attacking broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower and collards. Diazinon will control flea beetles. Mustard and turnips may be attacked by aphids and caterpillars. Use thiodan or cygon on mustard; and diazinon or cygon on turnips for aphid control. Observe harvest restriction between last application and harvest on all pesticides applied to vegetables. Additional restricted pesticides are recommended for commercial growers. Winter Grazing Crops - The potential for armyworm infestations in winter grazing crops as oats, barley, wheat and ryegrass is good for this fall. Look for small worms around the base of plants. Apply an insecticide as sevin XLR, 80 WP or 50 WP when 5 to 7 worms are found per square foot. Mole crickets may attack newly planted ryegrass. If so, Sevin XLR, 50 WP or 80 WP at 1 ý lbs. AI/acre may be applied. Works best when applied just before a good rain. J. Pat Harris Extension Entomologist