Integrated Pest Management December 2000 BIRD CONTROL - A new, non-toxic product (BirdBlox) is said to discourage birds from roosting or nesting on beams inside open buildings such as pole frame sheds, barns, storage facilities, and arenas. The recycled plastic strips snap onto 2 inch boards. The top edge is either flat or toothed like a saw. Either way, the manufacturer says birds do not like to perch on them. (IPMnet NEWS #83, November 2000) ETHYL PARATHION - The EPA and Cheminova have agreed to cancel all remaining uses of ethyl parathion. All but nine uses were canceled in 1991. Ethyl was another pesticide with good and bad points. It is very toxic and poses a high risk to applicators who handle it carelessly. On the other hand, ethyl parathion breaks down quickly, so there is little risk of groundwater contamination or chronic environmental effects. The new agreement immediately stops the use of ethyl parathion on corn grown for seed. Uses on other agricultural alfalfa, barley, corn, cotton, canola, sorghum, soybean, sunflower, and wheat will phase out over the next three years, with all uses ending October 31, 2003. (EPA Press Advisory, 10-13) FRUIT TREES - Scale 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. HONEY BEES - During the winter, beehive entrances should be reduced to a space of about 3/8 inches high and about 2 inches long to prevent cold air and mice from entering the hive. Also, face the hive entrance south unless conditions exist that would not favor it. HOUSEHOLD - Silverfish and firebrats may be more noticeable during cold weather inside our homes. They are troublesome, carry germs and can breed and hide in our homes. To control them, use a spray containing malathion, diazinon or dursban. Be sure to remove all dishes, towels, clothing, and food before spraying closets and cabinets. Also spray walls, near fireplaces, around bookcases and storage rooms. Lady beetle flights are heaviest and may infest houses on warm sunny days, when temperatures climb above 60 degrees F. They tend to initially congregate on the sunnier, southwest sides of buildings in mid-afternoon. Structures that are shaded and not brightly illuminated by afternoon sun are less likely to attract beetles. Once the beetles are indoors, the best way to remove them is with a vacuum cleaner. Insecticides tend to be less effective and may stain or leave unwanted residues on walls, counter tops, and other exposed surfaces. Concerned clientele should be reminded that lady beetles play an important role in nature, and that their entry into buildings is a sporadic and short-term event. Lady beetles do not injure humans, nor can they breed or reproduce indoors like fleas or cockroaches, i.e., they constitute a nuisance only by their presence. 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 ý" 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 or malathion. 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. With the onset of cold weather, clients will be calling about "bugs" infesting their clothing and other items unpacked from storage. These are probably clothes moths or carpet beetles. Besides damaging fabric, these insects will feed on any item composed of animal fibers, e.g., wool, fur, silk, feathers, felt or leather. Items commonly infested include wool sweaters, coats, blankets, carpets, down pillows and comforters, upholstered furniture, toys, and animal trophies. Synthetic fabrics such as polyester and rayon are rarely attacked unless blended with wool, or if they are heavily soiled with food stains or body oils. Serious infestations of clothes moths and carpet beetles can develop undetected in a home, often causing irreparable damage to clothing, bedding, rugs and other articles. Infested items should be laundered, dry cleaned or thrown out. Laundering (hot cycle) or dry cleaning kills any eggs or larvae that may be present. Vacuuming floors, carpets, and heating vents effectively removes larvae as well as hair and lint which could support future infestations. Be sure to vacuum the edges of carpets, along baseboards, underneath furniture and stored items, and inside closets and "quiet" areas where carpet beetles and clothes moths prefer to feed. Insecticides applied to infested areas may be helpful as a supplement to good housekeeping. Products containing active ingredients labeled for flea control (e.g., permethrin) are effective. Sprays may be applied to carpets, especially along and beneath edges adjacent to baseboards, underneath furniture, and other likely areas of infestation where prolonged contact with humans is unlikely. Clothing and bedding should not be sprayed with household insecticides and should be removed before treatment. Homeowners with juniper, arborvitae, pine, sycamore, willow, maple and many other ornamental bushes and trees should examine them for bagworms. If feasible, pull bags off trees and destroy them before spring. If there are too many bags or difficult to reach, apply an insecticide in late spring, usually May and June after bagworms emerge and are easier to kill. Insecticides as diazinon, sevin, Bt, malathion or orthene will control them. NEW PRODUCT - A strain of a fungal insect pathogen (Paecilomyces fumosoroseus Apopka 97) effective against greenhouse whitefly is moving toward registration in Europe. The European product will be called PreFeRal. There is not a commercial product currently marketed in the U.S. Look for a similar product to be registered here soon. Typically, biological products are much easier and cheaper to register with U.S. EPA. (IPMnet NEWS #83, November 2000) ORNAMENTALS - During the fall female twig girdlers are laying eggs in lateral or terminal twigs of many trees, including hickory, pecan, oak, and many others. After depositing a single egg, the female chews a continuous notch around the twig, girdling it. These twigs, usually over a foot long, die quickly and fall to the ground. The egg in the broken twig hatches and the legless white larva feeds some before winter. Development resumes in the spring and the adult emerges in early fall. Sanitation is the key to managing this pest. Pick up and destroy the fallen twig to kill the developing generation. PESTICIDES - Never use other chemicals as pesticides! In many cases, other chemicals are going to be more dangerous and less effective for controlling the pests. Gasoline is probably the all-time favorite, especially during this part of the year when yellow jackets are abundant. Gasoline is highly toxic, explosive, persistent, and carcinogenic; it penetrates the skin, and the fumes can cause irreversible brain damage. PESTICIDE STORAGE - Keep pesticides in an area inaccessible to children, adults who are unfamiliar with pesticides, and animals. All pesticides should be stored under lock and key away from feed, seed, clothing, or other articles. All highly toxic products should be stored together in a specially marked area. Pesticide storage areas should be well lighted and well ventilated and temperatures should not go below freezing, especially for liquids. Warning signs should be posted at all entrances. Store products in their original containers with their label in plain sight. Store pesticides off the floor if they can be damaged by dampness. Keep an up-to-date inventory of pesticide products available. Granular insecticides need special attention. If not properly stored, they may be accidentally fed to livestock with tragic results. When in doubt, read the storage precautions on a product label. STORED SEED - Germination of seeds is greatly reduced or destroyed if not properly treated for insects. Most stored seed 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 watched 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 label for crop recommendations and restrictions. 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. They may be controlled with label rates of dursban. TURNIPS AND MUSTARD - Aphids and worms are attacking our greens. Use malathion for control of aphids or plant lice. Use Bacillus thuringiensis (Dipel, Thuricide, etc.) or sevin for control of leaf feeding worms. Refer to labels for rates and restrictions. Merry Christmas!   J. Pat Harris Extension Entomologist