Prepare now for next season's pest control
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EmailEditor’s note: This article is from the archives of the MSU Crop Advisory Team Alerts. Check the label of any pesticide referenced to ensure your use is included.
Growers
are still busy managing this year’s crops. However, now is the time to
begin reducing your insect pest problems for next season. Mortality
during the winter months has a huge impact on Michigan insect
populations. Although insects that live here year-round are somewhat
adapted to cold weather, their ability to tolerate cold weather is
limited. In general, the colder the overwintering habitat, the higher
the winter mortality.
Other factors, such as too much or too little moisture also affect
overwintering. Obviously, we have little control over the weather, but
there are things that can be done to reduce pest survival. For those
insects that spend the winter in crop residue (for example, European
corn borer, onion maggot, etc.), chopping and spreading residue will
expose them more to severe weather and decrease survival. Some insects,
such as corn flea beetles, cucumber beetles and others overwinter in
protected areas such as ditch banks and hedge rows. Keeping these areas
relatively clear of trash and debris will reduce survival.
On the other hand, these areas also serve as overwintering habitat to
many natural enemies, so totally clearing these areas could increase
pest problems. Finally, rotating your crops so that next year’s field is
as far away as possible from protected areas next to this year’s field
(where high overwintering survival is expected) can delay and reduce
pest populations.
