Integrated Pest Management Program

[Themadd1]

So as I stated in my updated DRF post I am currently researching and reviewing papers on Integrated Pest Management. As we recently began spraying for aphids/hemlock adelgid/catapillers we are going to go full force with a new program in '07.

I have a big problem customers would like to get resolved without the use of heavy pesticides.

THE BLACK VINE WEEVIL.......................

This is my new target insect... I am very interested in what types of success people might have had with this pesky little parasite.( I use the term loosely)
I am looking into nematodes currently and dont know much, there have been some studies done on strawberries but I am not sure if this can be related to an older rhododendron that has been growing for 5-10 years and has a deeper root system.

Any thoughts? any success in the field, please no responses on this from controlled green house environments.

Thanks,

Themadd1

 

[woodville]

First make sure it really is blw not a leaf cutter like a wasp or bee. Small notches about 1/4" and heavy leaf serrations not dime or penny size holes randomly through out the plant. I see this mistake daily! As for nematodes results are looking good but not proven, Talastar is gonna be the closest to low toxic as your gonna find that really works other than merit.

 

[Urban Forester]

Nematodes have a short tank life when mixed, when I used them in '98 they did'nt do very well. I use bifenthrin (Talstar) and treat for the adults, thereby reducing egg laying potental. Treating for larvae is a crap shoot, soil treatments ar 'iffy' as soil never fractures in straight lines, meaning you spray the ground around the plant, but where does the product end up?

 

[woodville]

Bifenthrin "talstar" does not move in soils with large amounts of organic matter, clay and silt. It also has a low mobility in sandy soils that are low in organic matter. Bifenthrin is relatively insoluble in water, so there are no concerns about groundwater contamination through leaching. It's half-life in soil, the amount of time it takes to degrade to half of its original concentration, is 7 days to 8 months depending on the soil type and the amount of air in the soil. That said I personally have had success spraying the base of rhodys. Merit has also been very effective but not always practical.

 

[Themadd1]

Great info, I have had trouble logging into the site until now. I am interested in the Merit product which is sold by Beyer Environmental I believe. I am getting ready to do fall Merit soil drenching on some of the trees this fall for the first time. I have been told through consultants that there has been excellent results with this product and it actually is absorbed by the host plant for a number of years. Has anyone else done testing or knows of testing to this effect? Again, great information....Thanks


Themadd1