Climbers' Corner • Tree Academy
Monday • Tuesday • Wednesday
Alternative Pest Management Strategies in the Landscape: They Really Work!
Summary
Pest management in the landscape has relied heavily on the use of traditional pesticides. Alternative methods such as biological control, physical, and mechanical methods are gaining attention. More and more property owners and managers are requesting pest management without continuous reliance on chemicals.
This presentation summarizes the results of a study conducted over a six-year period. The objective was to evaluate the effectiveness and cost of implementing alternative pest management strategies. Results show that these strategies not only work effectively in suppressing pest populations, but they are competitive, cost-wise, to traditional pesticide applications. They also provide an environmentally-friendly approach to managing pests in the landscape.
Observations were made over a six-year period to evaluate the commercial feasibility of implementing alternative landscape pest management strategies emphasizing intensive monitoring and reduced use of traditional pesticides. Management methods comprised: mechanical (trimming of infested branches), physical (crushing), exclusion, and biological (both release of commercially- reared and attraction of naturally-occurring beneficials). Pest insects found included: aphids, scales, thrips, mealybugs and spider mites, among others. Beneficials were represented by: green lacewings, lady beetles, hover flies, and mealybug destroyer beetles. These alternative management practices proved effective in suppressing pest populations. The cost of this approach was initially higher than the traditional chemical control program, but became competitive over time. This approach provides acceptable landscape pest management for environmentally conscious clients.
Conference Proceedings Documents
Presenters
Dr. Ahmed D. Ali has over 25 years experience in the green industry. He provides technical support to Davey field offices throughout the southeast United States and in Texas, and he also provides arboricultural consulting services including plant health care seminars, plant problem diagnosis, and landscape management. Dr. Ali is an adjunct professor at Hodges University in Fort Myers, Florida.
An entomologist by training, Dr. Ali received his B.S. in entomology and M.S. in plant protection and pest management from the University of California at Davis, and his Ph.D. in entomology from Louisiana State University. He is an ISA Board Certified Master Arborist, serves on the Board of Directors, and is President-Elect of the Florida Chapter ISA.
Dr. Ali has written a book on pest management in the landscape. In addition, he has presented 130 scientific and training seminars, attended 135 conferences, symposia and workshops, and authored more than 300 scientific and trade-oriented articles.
Climbers' Corner • Tree Academy
Monday • Tuesday • Wednesday