The three most important factors in pest management are identification, pH and timing. These three measures allow for better management at reduced cost and reduced spraying, according to LSU AgCenter entomologist Dr. Dale Pollet.

The rotation of materials is essential for the duration and efficacy of materials used. The use of lemon additives will greatly improve the effectiveness of materials sprayed for turf pest control and assist in the collection and identification of the pests.

The most important element is the identification. With it you can know whether the insect is a pest, what its biology is, its host, its life cycle, signs to watch for and the optimum time for management tactics.

"Many problems are created from spraying before identification," Pollet says. This premature action releases the pest to do more harm, because the insecticide may have killed the beneficial insects.

The entomologist adds that the use of Insect Growth Regulators (IGRs) is effective and safe for the environment, the people and the applicators. Good management programs will effectively reduce potential problems both from pest and management techniques.

Pollet advises keeping a calendar of problems that arise during the year, what was done and how effectively it worked. This log will help act as a preventive tool, improve your management schemes and reduce cost. It will advise you when to check, where hot spots are, what works and does not work and keep you in a rotation program to be a better manager.

For related topics, look for Gardening and Get It Growing links in the Feature section of the LSU AgCenter Web site: www.lsuagcenter.com. Additional yard and garden topics are available from an extension agent in your parish LSU AgCenter office.

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On the Internet: LSU AgCenter: www.lsuagcenter.com/
On the Internet: www.louisianalawnandgarden.org
Source: Dale Pollet, (225) 578-2180, or dpollet@agcenter.lsu.edu