Over the past week two pest control companies came by peddling their services. I asked both young men what chemicals they use…neither knew. One said, “You know, it’s just for mosquito and spiders control.” “OK, but what is the chemical name,” I asked. He answered, “Uh, pesticide?”
Yes, I do know. It is Bifenthrin. A pesticide used to control 75 different “pests” along with every other insect with which it comes in contact. Unfortunately, it kills other creatures, too. It is highly toxic to fish and small aquatic organisms like dragonfly nymphs and tadpoles. It remains low toxicity for birds and mammals, unless one eats a fish that has died of toxicity.
Over 600 products containing Bifenthrin available as sprays, granules, and aerosols are used as a residual barrier control lasting for several months. Should your dog or cat ingest it the symptoms range from excessive drooling to diarrhea and even tremors and paralysis. Most humans react with nose, throat, and lung irritation, and, with enough exposure, vomiting. However, it is not poisonous. Studies on its cancer causing effects remain mixed.
As an alternative around your yard and garden try Integrated Pest Management.
What is Integrated Pest Management (IPM)?
Simply put, it is firstly, knowing what pests invade your landscape and secondly, treating those in the most effective manner with the least impact on your neighbors, your property, your money, and your environment.
How does it work?
Do not confuse total eradication of your pest problem as the ultimate answer. Remember, the insect that is a problem for you looks like dinner to a bird, a lizard, a snake, etc. So, your IPM goal is not to eradicate insect pests, but rather to provide a landscape (ecosystem) more favorable for your plants than for pests.
Remember, stressed plants attract pests. Strong, healthy plants resist disease and insects. Some preventive methods include, mulching garden areas, pulling weeds before they establish roots, and placing collars in the soil around vegetable stems.
Follow these steps for effective IPM.
Identify the problem or pest
You can think of insects in your landscape as good guys, bad guys, and ho-hummers.
The ho-hummers do no harm. The good guys are beneficial. The bad guys cause damage. Your IPM program stays alert for pests, identifies them accurately, and promotes appropriate control decisions based on your action thresholds. This monitoring and identification leads you to selecting and applying the right approach to control the pest.
Determine the severity of the problem
Before you flood the landscape with pesticides, ask yourself how big a problem you have. Seeing one caterpillar in your flowerbed should not prompt the need for total insect eradication. Is the pest damage affecting your overall landscape? First and foremost, your defined threshold at which pests become a noticeable threat to your landscape guides your pest control decisions.
Assess the control options
You can do nothing or employ a variety of proven controls.
- Cultural – planting native varieties that are pest resistant.
- Biological – protect and attract natural enemies of pests.
- Mechanical – set up barriers or traps for pest exclusion.
- Chemical – regulate insect growth, pheromones, and biological/chemical pesticides for severe cases of infestation.
Select and apply one or more options
Once you have identified the best approach, get started. Monitor your results and record them for future gardening reference.
For additional information visit the Texas A & M Agrilife Extension website at:
https://ipm.tamu.edu https://npic.orst.edu/factsheets/bifgen.html
Wade Village 