COMMUNITY IPM STRATEGIES AS MEANS OF REDUCING INSECTICIDE APPLICATIONS
Applied Research
Taylor Clem
CED & Environmental Horticulture Agent
United States
Yulee
Abstract
A homeowners’ association (HOA) in Alachua County, Florida, received complaints from local homeowners regarding insecticide usage within its common areas. To determine the most appropriate course of action, the leadership of the HOA contacted UF/IFAS Extension Alachua County’s agents to learn about implementing better insecticide management practices. Concluding meetings between the HOA board, county extension agents, and the landscape and pest control companies, two alternative pest management treatment strategies were proposed to reduce insecticide use while following UF/IFAS recommendations. The objective is to adopt integrated pest management (IPM) as the HOA’s basis for pest control, including cultural management, regular scouting, and proper insecticide applications. Four turfgrass test plots (at neighborhood entrances) with similar environmental conditions were selected during the first year of the program. An additional four plots were selected for the second year of the study. The total treatments for the two years (Feb 2020-Feb 2022) included four control plots (calendar spray program), two plots with alternative spray schedules (reduced spray frequency), and two plots with IPM schedules (no application unless pest pressure observed). Initial soil samples, insect traps, visual quality assessments, monthly applicator scouting reports, and insecticide logs were collected to compare different treatments. Concluding the first year of data collection, there was little to no visual impact seen across treatments and there was a decrease in insecticide usage from the control plots. Concluding the second year of data collection, the results showed minor changes. On a scale of 1-5, the average pest damage rating for control (3.61) was slightly higher than the reduced spray frequency (3.44) and IPM (3.22). Insecticide applications were reduced by 50% for reduced spray frequency and 66% for IPM, as compared to the control plots. Insecticide use reduction helps to ease concerns regarding pesticide exposure in the community while providing an economic benefit. After concluding the study there is a very slight tradeoff between visual pest damage and insecticide applications spray frequencies. Therefore, adopting the reduced spray frequency schedule uses half the number of insecticides with little to no impact on the visual quality of the turfgrass.
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Authors: Taylor Clem, Tatiana Sanchez, Cynthia Nazario-Leary
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Clem, T. CED & Environmental Horticulture Agent, UF/IFAS Extension Nassau County, Florida, 32011
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Sanchez, T. Commercial Horticulture Agent II, UF/IFAS Extension Alachua County, Florida, 32669
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Nazario-Leary, C. Environmental Horticulture Agent II, UF/IFAS Extension Alachua County, Florida, 32669