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I. Use Integrated Pest Management <br />B. in your staff to identify <br />.onitor pest & <br />_....;:~cial populations <br />A critical part of an integrated pest <br />management program is "watchful <br />waiting"- observing the site at regular <br />intervals in order to understand whether <br />populations are increasing or decreasing <br />and what harm pests are doing. It is <br />likely that most organisms in the <br />landscape are actually beneficial. Living <br />soils, for example, can support billions of <br />benefcial organisms, which suppress the <br />fewer disease causing organisms. Many <br />insects naturally feed on other pest <br />insects some even feed on weeds. <br />Insects provide food for birds, reptiles <br />and amphibians. Raptors and snakes eat <br />rodents. Immediately pulling out the big <br />guns in the form of pesticides will kill the <br />beneficial organisms along with the pests, <br />which can lead to more problems as the <br />balance between the two is disrupted. <br />^ Provide your staff with the time and <br />resources to learn to identify both <br />pest and beneficial organisms. <br />^ Check plants often for vigor and signs <br />of pests. <br />^ Train your residential clients to <br />monitor and record pest populations. <br />^ Clarify which problems are the result <br />of pests and not other factors, such as <br />overwatering. <br />^ Evaluate the results of any treatments. <br />^ Check regularly with the University of <br />California (www.ipm.ucdavis.edu) or <br />subscribe to the IPM Monitor from the <br />Bio-Integral Resources Center <br />(www.birc.ore) for up to date <br />resources and information. <br />Your staff enjoys greater job satisfaction <br />as they learn additional, valuable skills. <br />Beneficial organisms are given the <br />opportunity to control pests. If a <br />problem does develop, you can catch it <br />just as it is reaching a level that needs <br />control. <br />C. icate your clients <br />Many clients have unrealistic standards of <br />absolute pest control and will require <br />education. Landscapes can tolerate <br />certain levels of pests without causing <br />significant or even noticeable damage. <br />Small populations of pest organisms are <br />necessary to establish healthy <br />populations of predators. <br />^ Educate your clients about the role of <br />benefcial organisms and ask them to <br />consider some damage as a sign of a <br />balanced, thriving ecosystem. <br />Encourage them to raise their <br />threshold of acceptable damage. <br />^ Ask yourself and your clients if <br />treatment is even necessary before <br />developing a strategy for managing a <br />pest problem. <br />^ Fact sheets on alternative pest control <br />strategies are available at <br />www.ourwaterourworld.orQ or from <br />the UC Statewide IPM Program at <br />www.ipm.ucdavis.edu or the Seattle <br />Green Gardening program at <br />www. c i. s eattl e .wa. a s/uti I/p ro i p m/ <br />default.htm. <br />^ In the case of ongoing pests, advise <br />your clients that removing a particular <br />problem plant may be the best <br />solution. <br />Insects and other pests can be accepted <br />as an integral component of any <br />ecosystem, in which case they are not <br />controlled until they cause an <br />unacceptable level of damage.The need <br />for pesticides may be reduced or <br />eliminated. <br />D. ;~trol pest problems <br />>hysical & mechanical <br />When pests are identifed as the source <br />of unacceptable levels of damage, <br />physical barriers or mechanical <br />techniques for excluding or removing <br />pests should be implemented as a first <br />line of control. <br />^ Learn about and specify sheet <br />mulching to prepare the soil and <br />control weeds. <br />^ Weeds can also be controlled by <br />using drip irrigation and a minimum 2- <br />inch layer of coarse mulch. <br />^ Flame seedlings. <br />^ Hoe or pull established weeds. <br />^ Spray aphids with a strong jet of <br />water. <br />^ Use sticky traps around tree trunks to <br />keep ants and other insects away. <br />^ Hand-pick large adult insect pests and <br />larvae as they appear. <br />^ Remove dead or diseased plants or <br />plant parts hot composting the <br />debris will kill disease-causing <br />organisms. <br />Benefits <br />Pests can be kept at acceptable levels <br />thereby reducing the need for pesticides. <br />Pollutants are kept out of stormwater in <br />the f rst place. <br />In d study conducted for the Bay Area Stormwater <br />Management Agencies Association in California, 75% of people <br />surveyed indicated a willingness to try less toxic alternatives to <br />manage household pests if they were available. They ARE. <br />~~ <br />~. <br />ti <br />~. <br />~~., ~-. <br />N y <br />43 <br />