Public Perception of an Integrated Pest Management Program

Abstract

Many arborists provide cover sprays as part of their tree service. These sprays are applied without regard to tree condition or timed to fit the susceptible stage of any insect. While arborists are aware of the benefits of incorporating integrated pest management (IPM) into their practices, the public has been reluctant to purchase such a service. This is unfortunate since many excellent IPM programs have been developed over the past decade. To examine this reluctance, an analysis of the public perception of IPM was conducted using single-family residences in Mankato, Minnesota. The survey explored three separate areas: the homeowners' gardening experience, their attitude towards the IPM philosophy and what IPM tactics a homeowner would purchase as part of a tree and shrub service. The results of this survey and how they might be used to increase the use of IPM are discussed.

An Annotated Checklist of Clearwing Borer Pests of Ornamental Plants Trapped Using Commercially Available Pheromone Lures

“…Practitioners must be familiar with a broad range of species, and they may expect traps to capture many non-target species, and to fail to capture target species reliably. In spite of these potential stumbling blocks, however, this technology is currently being used successfully to manage pest populations in landscapes (1,8). The results presented here are meant to alert arborists to possible pitfalls associated with the use of these traps in landscape situations.…”

“…Pheromones are commercially available for a broad array of insect pests of landscape plants and are recommended for use in monitoring pest activity (1,6,7,8). While application of this technology appears straightforward, the proper use of traps, and correct interpretation of trap catches, are critical to determine the accurate timing and need for control measures.…”

Integrated Pest Management in Arboriculture: From Theory to Practice

“…Additional papers published by the Maryland group and others provide standards for a commercial arboricultural IPM program (11), discuss the concept of key plants and defining the management unit (12), and detail the essential process of monitoring (13,14). Profiles of residential homeowners interested in IPM programs were detailed by Ball (15). These papers provide elements that can become part of a framework for arborists to use when designing and marketing their own IPM program.…”