BMPs for treating an infestation of various forms of cutworms, as described by pesticide manufacturer FMC, is to locate them by using a soap flushing solution, and if three to eight larvae are found per square yard of lawn turf, apply an insecticide such as Talstar One or Talstar GC in the afternoon or evening, and delay irrigation for 24 hours. www.fmc.com

 

Dow's Defendor® specialty herbicide is designed to prevent dandelion bloom and control clover, chickweed and other common broadleaf weeds when it's too cold for other herbicides to be effective. The herbicide can be tank-mixed and applications can be made in late fall to early spring when weeds are small yet actively growing. www.dowagro.com

Fungus gnats often frequent potted plants where they lay their eggs in the soil, dine on the plants' roots as larvae and cause a nuisance as adults. Letting the soil dry out between waterings reportedly helps to control them but brings with it inherent dangers to the plant. A more aggressive, yet still natural, approach is to treat the plants with organic horticultural oil like Summit Year-Round Spray Oil, which blocks the adult gnats' breathing holes, causing them to suffocate.
summitchemical.com

The Toro company reminds that micro-sprinklers can be used as part of an integrated pest management plan as they wash dust off the leaves and increase humidity, which can suppress harmful pests, like mites that favor hot, dusty environments, and encourage beneficial insects, such as persimilis that thrive best where humidity levels are between 60 to 90 percent.

Policies: The EPA recently launched a voluntary star-rating program to encourage pesticide spray equipment manufacturers to produce technology that helps limit pesticide drift. Titled the Drift Reduction Technology (DRT) program, it will award the manufacturers one to four stars depending on the amount of drift reduction achieved when compared to the standard. www.epa.gov

A general scientific consensus is emerging that the Varroa mite, in association with a range of honeybee viruses, is a significant factor in the substantial loss of managed bee colonies that have occurred recently and have been attributed mainly to the use of neonicotinoids. A recent bill, H.R. 5447, which has been referred to the appropriate House subcommittee, would require the EPA to expedite the approval of products designed to control pests that impact bee health.

An updated version of the National Pesticide Applicator Certification Core Manual was recently released. Those preparing to take the Pesticide Applicator Certification Core Exam administered in many states in order to become a certified applicator should visit www.nasda.org/9381/Foundation/11379/11383/30485.aspx

The National Pest Management Association and the QualityPro Board of Directors recently launched a new member benefit, the OSHA Toolbox, an online resource that will cover the basic OSHA rules and regulations that apply to all of NPMA's members including: the rights and responsibilities during an OSHA inspection, state by state OSHA posting requirements, state-by-state injury and illness reporting requirements and forms, respiratory protection checklists, testing requirements for respirators and basic first aid and medical requirements. www.qualityprotools.org