Natural Pest Management

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1 Natural Pest Management Demetria Christo + Travis Cleaver contact@ecourbanllc.com

3 EcoUrban is the only local fullservice landscaping company specializing in sustainable products and eco-friendly practices which add value and beauty to your home while cultivating a greener New Orelans.

4 Special plug for COMPOST! ( it s even easier than taking out the trash )

5 Organic Gardening Combines: Cultural Controls Biological Controls Physical Controls Chemical Controls

6 NOT A Pest- Common Cultural Disorders

8 PEST CONTROL

9 Cultural Controls Select Healthy, Resistant Plants Start Your Own Seedlings Time Plantings Start Seedlings Early Indoors Monitor Insect Populations w. Sticky Traps Mulch Is barrier betw. Soil-borne diseases and plant Clean Garden Wash hands after handling diseased plants KNOW YOUR PESTS!!!

11 Signs of Bad Guys Beetles + Caterpillars Large, ragged holes in leaves, caterpillars sometimes leave deposits of dark green excrement on leaves Aphids, Leafhoppers, Thrips Suck sap from leaves Can cause leaf curling, distortion, and twisting Leaf weevils Clip neat half circles from leaf margins Larvae usually feed on roots Leaf Rollers Spin fine web around one or many leaves and feed inside web Cutworms Crawl along soil surface at night, chew through seedling stems Slugs Large, ragged holes in leaves Feed at night, slime trails Spider Mites Fine webbing on underside of leaves. Leaves can develop white or yellow specs Flea Beetles Many small holes in leaves like shot-holes Leafminers Feed internally on leaf tissue, tunnels Leaves may twist

13 Pests: Soft-Bodied Insects Sucking insects with soft exoskeleton Aphids Spider Mites White Flies Control: Water Spray Organocide!!!!!!!! Insecticidal Soaps Seventh Generation Soap Yellow Sticky Traps

14 Pests: Thrips Flying insect that attacks buds and blooms of plants Control: Prevention: Blue Sticky Traps Organocide!!! Insecticidal Soaps Alcohol Sprays Diatomaceous Earth Neem Oil Nicotine Spray Pyrethrins

Control: Horticultural Oils Organocide Alcohol Spray

15 Pests: Scale Sucking insect with disklike exoskeleton that makes difficult to control 16 Families in LA Control: Horticultural Oils Organocide Alcohol Spray Lime Sulfur Predators Asian cycad scale (Photo by Dale Pollet)

16 Pests: Leaf Miners Larvae burrow betw. leaf layers Creating winding trails through plant tissues Not fatal Controls: Horticultural Oils Yellow Sticky Traps for Adults Neem Oil Nicotene Oil

17 Pests: Caterpillars Control BT-Bacillus thurengiensis Does not harm Adult Butterflies Mammals Birds Humans Wasps Handpicking Physical Controls, ie barriers

18 Pests: Hard-Bodied Insects Tough exoskeleton. Stink bugs Beetles Ants Controls: Handpick, drop into soapy water Heavy infestation Pyrethrin Diatomaceous Earth

19 Pests: Slugs + Snails Controls: Remove litter that hide under during day Iron Phosphate Toads + Turtles eat slugs + o/ insects Sluggo Slug and Snail Traps Attracted to Yeast Yeast + Water Beer Spoiled yogurt Top of container flush w. ground level

20 Pests: Birds + Mammals MAMMALS Squirrels Rats, mice eat food + fertilizers Cats, dogs SOLNS + WHY WORKS: Capsicum-based spray. Capsicum=chem. In hot peppers BIRDS: SOLNS + WHY WORKS: Scarecrows Bird Tape + Sticky Gel on roosting surfaces Netting

21 Chicken Wire Garden

Biological Controls: Encourage Natural Predators Permanent Protection/Shelter Hedgerows or perennial border excellent Organic Mulches Cover

22 Biological Controls: Encourage Natural Predators Permanent Protection/Shelter Hedgerows or perennial border excellent Organic Mulches Cover crops Orchards have less infestations and greater number and variety of predatory soil-dwelling beneficials Food, Water Can buy at Barber Labs

Beneficial Insect Run-Down Flies Pollinators, Predators, Parasites True

soft-bodied insects Ex: Assassin Bugs, Ambush Bugs Beetles Chewing

Wasps Parasitic inject eggs in host Lacewings Brown or green

leafhoppers, scale insects, thrips, small caterpillars Predatory Mites

23 Beneficial Insect Run-Down Flies Pollinators, Predators, Parasites True Bugs Sharp Needle-Like Beaks for Sucking Food General Predators of soft-bodied insects Ex: Assassin Bugs, Ambush Bugs Beetles Chewing Mouthparts, Hard Forewings Ex: Lady Beetle, Ground Beetles, Fireflies Wasps Parasitic inject eggs in host Lacewings Brown or green alligator-like larvae Eat small, soft insects: aphids, moth eggs, leafhoppers, scale insects, thrips, small caterpillars Predatory Mites (Arachnids) Sucking mouthparts Eat smaller mites, fungi, fly larvae, thrips, fungus gnats Spiders (Arachnids)

parsley, Queen-Anne s-lace Weeds: Nettles and wild mustard Mint Family: catnip, hyssop, lemon balm, rosemary,

24 Biological Controls: Companion Plants Rich in Pollen and Nectar Beneficial adults seek nectar; meanwhile search for hosts for their larvae Most attracted to small-flowered species Carrot Family: dill, caraway, fennel, lovage, parsley, Queen-Anne s-lace Weeds: Nettles and wild mustard Mint Family: catnip, hyssop, lemon balm, rosemary, thyme Daisy Family: cone-flowers, daisies, yarrow, goldenrod Plant clover around the garden to provide food for beneficials

25 Companion Plants

26 Bacillus thuriengiensis (BT) Milky Disease Spores Viral Diseases Fungal Diseases Protozoan Diseases Insect Parasitic Nematodes Biological Controls: Microbial Insecticides Rarely kill immediately Key: monitor for weeks and months Check for sick or peculiar-acting insects Diseased insects may have opaque pink or chalky white blood Normal insect blood is green or yellowish Look for cottony or fuzzy growths on their bodies May move slowly or act strangely Ie sitting exposed on top of plants Hanging upside-down from twigs

Bacillus Thuringiensis (BT) Nearly 1% of global pesticide trade Most widely used bio control agent in world

from starvation, poisoning and bacterial infection Spores also multiply in insect s blood How to Use: Sold

o/ insecticides, soap sprays + horticultural oils Short lifespan in environment Thoroughly cover leaf

27 Bacillus Thuringiensis (BT) Nearly 1% of global pesticide trade Most widely used bio control agent in world How it Works: Spore-forming bacteria specific to caterpillars, certain flies, and certain beetles Death from starvation, poisoning and bacterial infection Spores also multiply in insect s blood How to Use: Sold as powder or liquid concentrate Do not store diluted spray mixture Can mix w. o/ insecticides, soap sprays + horticultural oils Short lifespan in environment Thoroughly cover leaf undersides last longest When: Spray in the evening to prolong spore life Spray BT when caterpillars just big enough to eat holes in leaves NOW!!!!!

28 Kills BUCKMOTH CATERPILLARS!!! WARNING: May Kill Butterfly Larve!

Dust or Grain Treat new and diseased sod once No safety concerns for non-target organisms When: NOLA Temp fine for any-time application

29 Milky Disease Spores Protection Offered: Bacteria Specific to Grub Stages of: Japanese Beetles June Beetles May Beetles How it Works: Grubs eat, spread to new areas as move though soil Diseased larvae have appeared 45 years after application How to Use Spores sold as a Dust or Grain Treat new and diseased sod once No safety concerns for non-target organisms When: NOLA Temp fine for any-time application Apply just before rain or water in Best results if applied Copyright on community-wide 2013, EcoUrban basis Migrant beetles can come from 1/8 mi.

Viral Diseases Viruses specific to insects, not any other animal Protection Offered: Caterpillars Flies How it Works: Insect eats infected leaf From stomach, spreads to o/ organs Host stops

30 Viral Diseases Viruses specific to insects, not any other animal Protection Offered: Caterpillars Flies How it Works: Insect eats infected leaf From stomach, spreads to o/ organs Host stops eating immediately, lives 3-9 days Virus spread from dead insect Studies show that predatory + parasitic insects of host not harmed by the viruses that killed their prey Virus-Killed Looper

have broad range of hosts including beneficials How They Work: Fungi produce

31 Fungal Diseases CAUTION: NOT Recommended Protection Offered: Many fungal diseases w. have broad range of hosts including beneficials How They Work: Fungi produce strands of mycelium that gradually penetrate the insect s protective cuticle by: Mechanical force Chemical secretions that dissolve the cuticle

tree bark Infect wide range of hosts HH Nematodes Black vine weevils Corn Root-Worm Larvae Cucumber Beetle Larvae Fungus Gnat Larvae Mole Crickets How They Work: Seek host s

32 Insect Parasitic Nematodes Nematodes = narrow, hollow worms w. tails Fastest-acting biological control Some are beneficial and break down compost Protection Offered: Best for controlling soil pests or those in hidden environments, ie under tree bark Infect wide range of hosts HH Nematodes Black vine weevils Corn Root-Worm Larvae Cucumber Beetle Larvae Fungus Gnat Larvae Mole Crickets How They Work: Seek host s breathing and body heat Nematodes release bacteria, which multiply in host; nematodes eat Host dies 1-2 days How to Use: Need moist soil conditions NC Nematodes Carpenterworms Currantb borers Earwigs Navel Orangeworms Onion Maggots Pillbugs Seed Corn Maggots Sod Webworms Sowbugs Strawberry Root Weevils

34 Physical Controls Handpicking/Shaking/Vacuuming Water sprays Good for soft-bodied aphids + spider mites Spray leaf undersides!!! Spray in morning or dusk Caution water is disease vector Barriers Traps Soil Solarization

curtain material on bamboo hoops Good for seedlings Copper Barriers Extremely

35 Physical Controls: Barriers Floating Row Covers Polypropylene or Extruded plastic Allow more than 80% sun Can use good-quality cheese cloth, fine nylon mesh, sheer curtain material on bamboo hoops Good for seedlings Copper Barriers Extremely toxic to slugs and snails (electric shock) Use as a Tree Band or as edging around a bed

Physical Controls: Barriers Cutworm Collars Cardboard, paper, plastic

Offered: Prevents non-flying insects from daily migration Gypsy moths

beetles How to Make: Use 12 inch wide cotton or burlap cloth, fold over

36 Physical Controls: Barriers Cutworm Collars Cardboard, paper, plastic cylinder that surrounds base of seedling stem Tree Bands Protection Offered: Prevents non-flying insects from daily migration Gypsy moths Buckmoth caterpillars Codling moth larvae Use on citrus for snails, ants, beetles How to Make: Use 12 inch wide cotton or burlap cloth, fold over string Or Cardboard, silicone tape Place as soon as trees leaf out Remove bands weekly, destroy larvae

From diatoms one-celled algae How It Works: Scratches waxy cuticle death by dehydration Protection Offered: Stored seeds Flea/Louse control on animals Cabbage root flies Thrips,

environment until rain or tilled into soil Natural Grades Non-Toxic to humans Pool-filter grade is a respiratory hazard to mammals Mix ¼ pound diatomaceous earth w. 1tsp.

37 From diatoms one-celled algae How It Works: Scratches waxy cuticle death by dehydration Protection Offered: Stored seeds Flea/Louse control on animals Cabbage root flies Thrips, Ants Root + Rust Flies Chemical Controls: Diatomaceous Earth How to Use: CAUTION: Not specific, danger to beneficials Keep local to target plant Dust does not break down in environment until rain or tilled into soil Natural Grades Non-Toxic to humans Pool-filter grade is a respiratory hazard to mammals Mix ¼ pound diatomaceous earth w. 1tsp. Of pure soap, enough water to make thick slurry; apply to lower trunk Other Dehydrating Dusts: Spread circle of dry wood ashes, talc, lime around plants When: Most effective when dry Apply after rain

Worms Thrips How to Use: Hang around the garden at average plant height, among or

38 Good for Monitoring Physical Controls: Traps Yellow Sticky Traps Protection Offered: Onion flies Cabbage Root Flies Carrot Rust Flies Aphids Imported Cabbage Worms Thrips How to Use: Hang around the garden at average plant height, among or close to the foliage Blue Sticky Traps Protection Offered: Thrips (in some light conditions)

39 Physical Controls: Traps Pheromone Traps Pros: Species-specific, so don t trap beneficials Great for monitoring pops. To time pesticide applications Cons: Same species from different geographical regions may not respond Light Traps (UV/Blacklight Rays Bug Zappers ) DO NOT USE! May make bug problem worse indiscriminate, kill beneficials

40 Physical Controls: Solarization Black or clear plastic film over soil Heat pasteurize top 6-12 in. soil Kills Disease organisms Weeds and Weed seeds Soil stages of insects and mites Detrimental Nematodes DO NOT solarize annually many beneficials need stable environment

41 Chemical Control: Why Are These Sprays OK? Unlike Petrochemical Sprays: Less likely to poison non-target organisms Spray residues undetectable shortly after spraying Toxic compounds quickly break down into harmless compounds Don t accumulate in the soil or groundwater Don t become more concentrated in the food chain Caution resistance can develop when any pesticide is overused

42 Chemical Controls LAST RESORT! Horticultural Oils Insecticidal Soaps Homemade Repellents Botanical Poisons NOT RECOMMENDED

Oil/Water/Emulsifier Are Contact-Insecticides Chemical Controls: Horticultural Oils Dormant + Summer Oils How They Work: Suffocation Disturbing insect s water balance Dissolving egg coverings

43 Oil/Water/Emulsifier Are Contact-Insecticides Chemical Controls: Horticultural Oils Dormant + Summer Oils How They Work: Suffocation Disturbing insect s water balance Dissolving egg coverings Protection Offered: Mealy bugs Thrips Aphid + Mite eggs Leafrollers Rust Mites Scale On citrus use from petal fall in Spring through September to control Scale Spider Mites Most exposed insects

Soaps are salts of fatty acids Not toxic to humans, birds Chemical Controls: Insecticidal Soaps How They Work: Kill on contact by paralyzing, disrupting

44 Soaps are salts of fatty acids Not toxic to humans, birds Chemical Controls: Insecticidal Soaps How They Work: Kill on contact by paralyzing, disrupting membranes, effecting growth and development Protection Offered Soft-bodied insects: Aphids (every 2 weeks, when pops. Rebound) Mealybugs Scales Thrips Whiteflies Mites

45 Chemical Controls: Home Preparation Garlic/Onion/Cayenne Spray. For Leaf-Eating Pests Liquify: 1 onion 1 garlic 1tsp cayenne pepper 1quart water 1 tbsp non-detergent liquid Repelling Herbal Sprays For Leaf-Eating Pests Effective Herbs: Sage and thyme essential oils Hyssop, Rosemary, Copyright White 2013, EcoUrban Clover

46 Chemical Controls: Botanical Pesticides From Plant Material Pyrethrin From Chrysanthemum Deterrent + Lethal Toxin to All Stages Egg to Adult Rotenone Citrus Oil Neem Oil Not Harmful to: mammals, birds some beneficial insects such as honeybees + ladybugs.

47 Product Highlights: Organocide

48 DISEASE CONTROL

49 LSU Ag Center Plant Disease Diagnostic Clinic $10 per sample. Diagnose plant samples with problems caused by fungi, bacteria viruses nematodes non-pathogenic agents Mailing address: 302 Life Sciences Building Baton Rouge, LA Phone: (225) Fax: (225)

Powdery Mildew Cause: Fungal disease Symptoms: Grayish/Whitish powdery growth On the surface of plant tissues Frequently on plants in shade when moderate humidity and

50 Powdery Mildew Cause: Fungal disease Symptoms: Grayish/Whitish powdery growth On the surface of plant tissues Frequently on plants in shade when moderate humidity and high temps Controls: Choose resistant plants Plant in sunny locations with good air movement Protect the foliage with sprays of Horticultural oils Organocide! Neem Oil

Leaf Spots + Blights Cause: Fungi Overhead watering is a vector Fungi need extended periods of leaf wetness to gain entry into the plant. Choose resistant plants + varieties.

51 Leaf Spots + Blights Cause: Fungi Overhead watering is a vector Fungi need extended periods of leaf wetness to gain entry into the plant. Choose resistant plants + varieties. Controls: Use Drip Irrigation Protect Foliage with Organocide Neem Oil Fixed-copper Fungicide from Organic Labs Apply prior to the onset Copyright of 2013, EcoUrban rainy periods

the spores Mulch!!! Controls. Neem Oil Choose resistant plants and varieties.

52 Cause: Group of fungal diseases Survive from year to year in cankers on infected branches Occur on leaves, shoots and twigs Develop in the spring during prolonged rainy periods Splashing water disperses the spores Mulch!!! Controls. Neem Oil Choose resistant plants and varieties. Fungicide sprays applied prior to the onset of Anthracnose rainy periods in the spring Copyright may 2013, EcoUrban provide some protection.

53 Fire Blight Cause: Bacterial disease Enters plants through the flowers, moves into the new shoots, kills. Rose family Plants Flowering pears, loquats Splashing water and honeybees are vectors Symptoms Burnt, blackened appearance of leaves and bark Dead branch tips to which the leaves are still attached Controls: Prune out infected branches 6-8 below the dead portion Copper Sulfate

plant Root symptoms: black necrosis Controls: Well-drained site Avoid overwatering

54 Root + Crown Rots Cause: Fungus Poor Drainage Symptoms Stunting of the plants Leaf wilting, death of lower leaves Later, defoliation + branch dieback over the entire plant Root symptoms: black necrosis Controls: Well-drained site Avoid overwatering Mulch Currently no effective pesticides that can get to the roots or that last long enough on crown

surfaces All powdery masses of spores in pustules Typically on leaf undersides, some on surface Yellow, orange, purple, black or brown.

55 Cause: Rust fungi are obligate parasites Seldom kill plants but drastically reduce health Spores easily spread via air or splashing water Symptoms: Each type of Rust has its own distinctive symptoms + specific hosts Usually starts as yellowing of leaves on the upper surfaces All powdery masses of spores in pustules Typically on leaf undersides, some on surface Yellow, orange, purple, black or brown. Large areas of necrosis develop; leaf distortion and defoliation often follow Controls: Organic Labs Fungicide Copper-Based Spray Rusts

Symptoms Can Include: mosaic mottle ring spot or line patterns on the foliage or flowers.

56 Viruses Cause: Various viruses Insect Transmission aphids, whiteflies, thrips are common vectors Mechanical Transmission in sap on pruning shears hands. Once infected with a virus, a plant cannot be cured. Symptoms Can Include: mosaic mottle ring spot or line patterns on the foliage or flowers. Controls Do not introduce virus-infected plants into the landscape. Prevent their spread by controlling insects and regularly cleaning pruning shears.

57 RESOURCES FOR SUSTAINABLE PEST AND DISEASE CONTROL WEBSITES: Pest I.D. Flash Cards Jeffords, Michael R., et al. Garden Pests: The Bad Guys Set 1, The Bad Guys Set 2, The Good Guys. DNR Illinois Natural History Survey and The Univ. of Illinois Dept. of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences. < Pest I.D. Image Database Nature s Control. Garden Pest ID < Sustainable Products Organic Laboratories. Home Page < Common Landscape Diseases of Louisiana Overview LSU AgCenter. Common Landscape Diseases. 10/22/ hoods/section+2+landscaping+principles/manage+yard+pests/common+landscape+diseases.htm BOOKS: Carr, Anna. Roldale s Color Handbook of Garden Insects. Rodale Press, Inc Anna Carr [et al.]. Rodale s Chemical-Free Yard and Garden: The Ultimate Authority On Successful Organic Gardening. Rodale Press, Inc LSU AG CENTER PLANT DISEASE DIAGNOSITIC CLINIC: Mailing address: 302 Life Sciences Building Baton Rouge, LA Phone: (225) Fax: (225)

58 For pest and disease questions, please contact the LSU AgCenter. For EcoUrban Maintenance & Installation RFQs, please contact us at:

Pest Management in Vegetable Gardens. Pam Brown Extension Agent Emeritus, Gardening Coach Pampered Gardeners, LLC

Pest Management in Vegetable Gardens Pam Brown Extension Agent Emeritus, Gardening Coach Pampered Gardeners, LLC pamperedgardeners@gmail.com Pest Management Involves: Providing proper cultural practices