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Pest Management

Pest Management Conservation Practice Job Sheet (595)

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   JS-595: Pest Management  (PDF, 141 KB)

Definition

Pest management is utilizing environmentally sensitive prevention, avoidance, monitoring, and suppression strategies, to manage weeds, insects, diseases, animals and other organisms that directly or indirectly cause damage or annoyance.
Purposes

Pest management is applied as part of a resource management system to:

  • Enhance the quantity and quality of agricultural commodities.

  • Minimize the negative impacts of pest control on soil resources, water resources, air resources, plant resources, animal resources and/or humans.
Pest management includes

  • Environmental risks of pest management.

  • Mitigation alternatives to minimize environmental risks.

  • Adoption of Integrated Pest Management (IPM).

  • Implementation of a pest management component of an overall conservation plan.

Benefits

Pest Management systems:

  • Maximize economic returns.

  • Minimize environmental risks.

  • Improve food, water and air quality.

  • Integrate all aspects of pest management within the agricultural production system.
Resource Management System

Pest management is a component of a Resource Management System (RMS). It should be used in conjunction with conservation practices such as a filter strip, conservation crop rotation, irrigation water management and/or nutrient management on a site specific basis to address both natural resource concerns and the landowner’s objectives

General Criteria

  • Follow the attached pest management component of the overall conservation plan (see Printable version PDF).

  • Methods of pest management must comply with Federal, State, and local regulations.

  • Utilize IPM that strives to balance economics, efficacy, and environmental risks. IPM information available for your crops is attached (see Printable version PDF).

  • Implement mitigation techniques planned to address the environmental risks of pest management activities. Mitigation techniques include conservation practices like a filter strip or conservation crop rotation, and management techniques like application method and timing. Mitigation techniques have been incorporated in the attached plan (see Printable version PDF).

    •

  • All methods of pest management must be integrated with other components of the conservation plan.

  • Pay special attention to all environmental hazards and site-specific application criteria listed on pesticide labels and contained in Extension and Crop Consultant recommendations.

Operation, maintenance & safety

  • Review and update the plan periodically in order to incorporate new IPM technology, respond to cropping system and pest complex changes, and avoid the development of pest resistance.

  • Maintain mitigation techniques identified in the plan in order to ensure continued effectiveness.

  • Develop a safety plan for individuals exposed to chemicals including telephone numbers and addresses for emergency treatment centers and the telephone number for the nearest poison control center.

  • The National Pesticide Information Center (NPIC) telephone number in Corvallis, Oregon for non-emergency information is:
    1-800-858-7378, Monday - Friday, 6:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Pacific Time

  • The national 24-hour CHEMTREC® telephone number for emergency assistance is: 1-800-424-9300

  • Mix chemicals down gradient and a minimum of_____ feet from a well and a minimum of _____feet from a surface water body.

  • Post signs according to label directions and/or Federal, State, and local laws around sites that have been treated. Follow restricted entry intervals.

  • Dispose of pesticides and pesticide containers in accordance with label directions and adhere to Federal, State, and local regulations.

  • Read and follow label directions and maintain appropriate Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS).

  • Calibrate application equipment according to Extension and/or manufacturer recommendationsbefore each seasonal use and with each major chemical change.

  • Replace worn nozzle tips, cracked hoses, and faulty gauges.

  • Maintain records of pest management for at least_____ years. Pesticide application records shall be in accordance with USDA Agricultural Marketing Service's Pesticide Record Keeping Program and state specific requirements

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