Step 2: Problem Identification
Inspection, scouting, and monitoring determine the presence of any existing or potential pest problems. After that, making sound decisions about pest control options requires:
• Accurate identification
of the pest involved
• Recognition of environmental factors that support, or have the
potential to support, the pest population
So the pest managers performing inspections must be knowledgeable enough about the pests involved and the management system (a crop, a home, a school, etc.) to identify these problems when they occur.
The importance of correctly identifying the pest can’t be overstated. This does not mean every pest manager needs to have a degree in entomology or weed science. A number of excellent manuals and guides are available to assist with pest identification. These are often crop-specific or setting-specific and are too numerous to list here. Pest managers can obtain suggestions for appropriate pest identification manuals from local Cooperative Extension personnel or university pest specialists. Specific manuals for structural pest management are recommended in Module 3. Specific manuals for turf and landscape pest management are recommended in Module 4.
Again,
it is critical that any insect, weed, or disease pest be correctly identified
prior to taking any control action. The effectiveness of specific (chemical
or non-chemical) control strategies will depend upon the accuracy of identification.
During inspections, pest managers should carry along some important tools:
• Field guides
• Magnifying hand lens
• Vials for specimen collection
Pest management specialists with the Cooperative Extension Service can often assist with pest identification.
Numerous environmental conditions can contribute to pest problems by providing resources that pests need to survive. For example,
In structural systems, pest managers should recognize:
• Poor sanitation
• Clutter
• Gaps under doors or around fixtures
In agricultural or landscape systems, pest managers should recognize:
• Poor plant health or
drought stress
• Poor drainage
• Pest harborage areas
Pest managers must note these types of conditions on the inspection report, whether or not a pest is detected. An important advantage of IPM, compared to traditional, chemical-dependent pest control, is that it works to identify and eliminate the conditions that lead to pest infestation in the first place. It is the pest manager’s responsibility to identify potential problems and to communicate the steps needed to rectify the situation to the client.