You can go to the forum which fits your plant type (roses, camellias or whatever) or you could try the Pests & Diseases Forum. But, hopefully you won't need either!

The Pests and Diseases Forum is also called The Garden Clinic Forum. We are all waiting for new problems to diagnose! You can also visit Integrated Pest Management forum for the best IPM advice, and Organic Gardening for strictly organic remedies for pest problems.

Rhizo-

What exactly does "Integrated Pest Mangement" mean?

Katrina

I live in Michigan. Something is eating the leaves of my shasta daisies and geraniums. It is a tiny little round bug. Black and white in color. What can I do and what is it?

Hi, Katrina. Dorie (Rhizo) probably forgot this post or she would have answered your question. IPM is an approach to managing pests wherein the pest monitor (you or I) takes responsibility for considering all appropriate remedies that will keep pest levels and damage within acceptable limits while at the same time considering the impact of remedial actions on the environment. IPM recognizes that total control of any insect species is virtually impossible and expensive to the environment. In order to be effective at IPM, you need to know the relationship of predator species to prey species and how treatments affects the balance. A working knowledge of chemicals and their relative effectiveness in combating different species of pests is necessary as well. Often, you'll find that a simple solution, like blasting pests from your plants with a sharp stream of water is all that is needed to keep pests in check instead of reaching for a can of chemical spray. The concept of IPM doesn't rule out the use of pesticides, but will in most cases use a more environmentally friendly method as the first line of defense, falling back on harsher treatment forms when all other methods of treatment has failed.

In short, IPM integrates multiple forms of treatment and prevention in an attempt to keep predation on plants at a tolerable level. IPM can also extend to other pests like wasps, rabbits, woodchucks, ants, etc.

Al

You took the words right out of my mouth, Al! Only they came out better when you say it.

After 2 weeks, I figured you'd forgotten you posted here. Didn't mean to steal your thunder. ;o)

Al