Managing Yard Pests
It 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.
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| Lady Beetle (larva) | Lady Beetle | Assasin Bug |
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| Green Lacewing (larva) | Green Lacewing | Big-eyed Bug |
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| Earwig | Syrphid Fly | 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.
- Check your lawn and plant beds regularly for pest problems.
- 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.
- Be tolerant! Low levels of pests will do minimal damage to plants and many are a source of food for beneficials.
- When pests reach damaging levels, first try non-chemical approaches and least toxic pesticides such as insecticidal soaps and horticultural oils.
- 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.
- The label is the law! Read pesticide labels carefully for information on using pesticides and disposing of left-over chemicals and containers.
Friendly Wasp? Tiny Braconid wasps attack aphids and scale insects. The term beneficial applies to bacteria, birds, insects, and other organisms that keep pest populations under control.
Resources for managing yard pests:
Additional Resources: