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Integrated Pest Management in the Landscape
| Name | Suzanne Holmes | | Situation | The Commercial Horticulture Industry in the Aiken-Edgefield area employs in excess of 1500 people and represents an estimated 50 million dollars in income to the local economy. This industry includes nurseries, greenhouse producers, landscape and maintenance companies, garden centers, and golf courses. Many landscape/maintenance and garden center professionals do not have a basic understanding of integrated pest management for many pests. Local Extension agents estimate that 90% of the problems are caused by professionals misdiagnosing the pest, over
applying plant pharmaceuticals, or improper timing. Inadequate scouting and poor understanding of the pest biology often cause the problem. Better scouting techniques and use of IPM practices will help alleviate these problems and improve pest management, as well as lessen nonpoint pollution to our water supply. Also, local Extension advisory committees have requested additional education related to integrated pest management. Under new regulations according to Clemson University's Department of Pesticide regulation, effective January 1, 2006, individuals who apply pesticides for compensation on another person's property will have to have a commercial pesticide license. This will result in more people needing pesticide training and is an excellent
opportunity to teach these individuals about Integrated Pest Management. In addition, the Extension Advisory Board had requested an association be formed for clientele in the commercial horticulture industry. | | Response | An Integrated Pest Management grant was applied for and received in the amount of $3350. A meeting was held to teach green industry professionals on pesticide safety concentrating on the Turf and Ornamentals (Category 3) Pesticide Applicator Training Manual. Information included environmental safety, health hazards, application methods and equipment, and equipment calibration. Another seminar was held on weed management. Dr. Ted Whitwell was the speaker. This was done
in conjunction with starting an association for the Commercial Horticulture Industry. | | Impact | Thirty people attended the Commercial Pesticide License Training program. 100% gained knowledge. The course is still being evaluated for the number of people who passed the exam. Sixty people attended the program on Integrated Pest Management Weed program. 55% rated the program as good and 45 % rated the program as excellent. 95% reported an increase in knowledge of weeds in the landscape. The new Pest Management for the Nursery and Landscape Professional Guidelines was given out to attendees. 72% said they will use the handbook often and 23% will use it occasionally and 2% rarely. 98% will consider Integrated Pest Management methods when making pest management decisions. The attendees were very
enthusiastic about starting a Commercial Horticulture Association. The next meeting will be this summer. |
Last update7/11/2008
This website is maintained by Vickie Browder.
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