Texas Ornamental and Turf (2022/2023)

Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) - ANSWER-The primary agency regulating pesticides in Texas. The Texas Structural Pest Control Service (SPCS) - ANSWER-Also licenses people to apply pesticides to lawns, ornamental plants, and weeds to control landscape pests. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) - ANSWER-You need to take a comprehensive approach that uses biological, cultural, physical, and chemical controls in a careful, environmentally sound manner. The terms for this approach is ..... Natural Factors - ANSWER-....influence pests include climate, natural barriers and enemies, population developmnt and dynamics, and the availability of shelter, food, and water. These XXXXX factors may cause pest populations to increase or decrease without influence from humans. Biological Control - ANSWER-....involves manipulating the natural enemies of pests-those that kill and eat pests (predators), those that feed on but do not necessarily kill pests (parasites), or those that cause diseases in pests (pathogens). You can encourage and maintain high population levels of these natural enemies by using pesticides carefully or by releasing a pest's enemies into the target area. Cultural Control - ANSWER-....methods are the activities involved in taking care of the plants, such as site selection and watering practices. These techniques can alter the environment around the plants to affect the pests that could be attacking them. Mechanical Control - ANSWER-....involves the use of equipment or manual operations to keep out or disrupt the life cycle of pests. Barriers that exclude pests include fencing, plastic mulches, and row covers. Host Plant Resistance - ANSWER-....Some plants can tolerate damage from certain pests or are unsuitable for pest development; this trait is known as xxxxxxxx. For example, the St. Augustine grass variety 'Floratam' is resistant to chinch bugs. Chemical Control - ANSWER-....involves the use of pesticides to destroy pests, control their activity, or prevent them from causing damage. Chemical pesticides are often the quickest way to control pests and, in some cases, the only alternative. Plant Selection - ANSWER-A critical step in pest control is to choose the proper plant or variety for the landscape. Choose all landscape plants according to their water requirements, shade tolerance, and susceptibility to pests.