The choice of the most appropriate strategy for controlling damage-causing agents, from an environmental point of view is determined based on the relative position of the population’s characteristic density causing the damage, and its corresponding Economic Threshold Damage (UED).
The strategy may, therefore, consist of introducing modifications to the insect, on the culture, or both. The most common strategies for pest control San Juan Island WA which are safe for kids and pets consist of the following:
- Conservation Strategy
It is used for those phytophagous species whose population density never exceeds the UED. It consists of the application of biological control measures and cultural methods. This case usually occurs with phytophages that cause indirect damage; that is, they do not directly attack the harvesting organ.
To make this decision, it is necessary to carry out a rigorous sampling program that confirms that a satisfactory regulation of the population density of the phytophagous occurs as a result of natural mortality factors, which confirms that the most appropriate thing is not to take measures.
- Strategy To Reduce Crop Susceptibility To Physical Damage
It is used for those phytophagous species whose population densities remain above the UED or very commonly exceed it. In this strategy, the mean density (MD) of the characteristic population of the phytophagous is not modified.
It is an effective and desirable strategy to conserve the environment. For its application, it is necessary to introduce changes in the host plant, but not in the phytophagous: use of tolerant or resistant varieties, improvement of plant vigor, changes in the date of sowing or planting, transgenic varieties, etc.
- Strategy To Reduce The Population Density Of The Phytophagus
It is the most common guardian pest control Puyallup strategy. It is used as a curative measure, when the insect population reaches UED, or as a preventive measure. It is carried out in two types of situations that require different types of treatments.
In species with a low General Balance Position (PGE) compared to UED, the best strategy is to reduce population peaks. This action anticipates damage but does not change the PG. In species with PGE close to or greater than UED, the best strategy is:
1) Lower the value of the PGE. This can be done by reducing the capacity of the environment to support the population, which is achieved by reducing the favorable habitats of the environment, such as crop rotation.
2) Another alternative is to reduce the biotic potential of the population, for example, with self-fighting (release of sterile individuals) or sexual confusion (preventing the encounter between the sexes).
The tactics used in the population density reduction strategy are numerous and varied: natural enemies, insecticides, resistant cultivars, modifications of the environment, products that regulate insect growth, products that inhibit the growth of insects, autocidal methods, pheromones, etc.
