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Control Yard Pests Responsibly

t is unrealistic, and even unwise, to strive for an insect-, disease- and weed-free yard. Many insects are beneficial, helping to keep pests under natural control. Many other insects simply coexist with humans causing us no harm.

 

Meet some of the "Good Guys." Help protect these beneficial insects—so they can naturally keep pests under control.

Lady Beetle Larva
Lady Beetle (larva)		 Lady Beetle
Lady Beetle 		Assassin Bug
Assassin Bug
Green Lacewing Larva
Green Lacewing (larva)		 Green Lacewing
Green Lacewing		 Big-Eyed Bug
Big-eyed Bug
Earwig
Earwig		 Syrphid Fly
Syrphid Fly		 Syrphid Fly larva
Syrphid Fly (larva)

More information on Beneficial Insects is available online at
http://entweb.clemson.edu/cuentres/cesheets/benefici/index.htm

IPM—Integrated Pest Management

Communities and individuals are successfully managing pests by protecting beneficials and reducing the use of pesticides. By definition, pests include insects, diseases and weeds. It is easy to practice IPM in your yard.

  1. Check your lawn and plant beds regularly for pest problems.
  2. Identify the problem. Know the good from the bad. Is it a chinch bug or a big-eyed bug? It makes a difference. Big-eyed bugs eat chinch bugs. Your county Extension office can help with identification.
  3. Be tolerant! Low levels of pests will do minimal damage to plants and many are a source of food for beneficials.
  4. When pests reach damaging levels, first try non-chemical approaches and least toxic pesticides such as insecticidal soaps and horticultural oils.
  5. Spot treat. If chinch bugs or weeds are the problem, don't treat the entire lawn—only the affected area. If one out of ten shrubs have scale, treat only the infested plant.
  6. The label is the law! Read pesticide labels carefully for information on using pesticides and disposing of left-over chemicals and containers.

 


Carolina Yard Actions

  • Check plants regularly. Walk around your yard every week and observe your plants and lawn for signs of problems.
    Credit: 2 inches.

  • Avoid routine applications of pesticides. Treat only affected areas rather than spraying your entire lawn or yard. (Require that your maintenance company follow these strategies.)
    Credit: 3 inches.

  • Know five beneficial insects that provide natural control of harmful pests.
    Credit: 2 inches.

  • Use environmentally-friendly pesticides such as horticultural oils, Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) and insecticidal soaps. These effective, safe materials can control most plant pests.
    Credit: 2 inches.

  • Wherever possible use cultural/nonchemical approaches to pest control, such as pruning off affected areas, hand-removing insects, etc.
    Credit: 3 inches.

    ___ Total Inches