Infosheet #20 Pest Management

Table of Contents

• Introduction
  • 20-1 Management skills
  • 20-2 Pesticide training
  • 20-3 Crop rotation used
  • 20-4 Pest monitoring (including weeds)
  • 20-5 Methods of control
  • 20-6 Resistance management
  • 20-7 Record keeping
  • 20-8 Sprayer calibration and maintenance
  • 20-9 Pesticide drift control and pattern uniformity
  • 20-10 Spray application accuracy
  • 20-11 Protective clothing and personal protective equipment
  • 20-12 Weather conditions (spraying for pest control and tillage for weed control)
  • 20-13 Separation distance of pesticide application from surface water or well

Introduction

This infosheet provides background to Worksheet #20 of the Environmental Farm Plan Workbook. It outlines options you could adopt to address problem areas in your operation. In most cases you'll need more information before implementation: please refer to the resource materials listed in the infosheet, and consult OMAFRA EFP Technical Advisors.

Most of the options are either Actions or Compensating Factors. Actions address the areas of concern identified, and will change the EFP rating to (3) or Best (4). Compensating Factors are alternatives that will adequately address the concerns, but will not change the rating in the EFP worksheets. Monitoring is an alternative only in special circumstances and is explained in the worksheet when and how it can be used.

At the request of the Ontario Farm Environmental Coalition, consisting of AGCare, Ontario Federation of Agriculture, Christian Farmers Federation of Ontario and the Ontario Farm Animal Council, the following people contributed to the development of Infosheet # 20.

Albert Tenuta, OMAFRA (Chair)
Gord Surgeoner, University of Guelph
Clarence Swanton, University of Guelph
Janice Schooley, OMAFRA
Doug Morrow, OMAFRA
Brent Kennedy, OMAFRA

Technical Editing Committee:
Brent Kennedy, OMAFRA
Jim Myslik, OMAFRA
Bob Stone, OMAFRA

The following people contributed to the revision (2004) of Infosheet #20:
Albert Tenuta, OMAFRA (Chair)
Helmut Spieser, OMAFRA
Susan Kelner, Ontario Pesticide Education Program
Lorraine Goulty, Ontario Pesticide Education Program

Technical Editing Committee: 
H.J.Smith, OMAFRA
Jim Myslik, OMAFRA
Bob Stone, OMAFRA

OMAFRA = Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs

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Issue: 20-1 Management skills

An attempt to learn about updated information on new types of pesticides and better application methods should be made. New application methods could ensure more effective use of a pesticide so that less is needed to get the same crop results. New types of pesticides could be less harmful to the environment or more effective so that less is needed to get the same results.

What can you do?

Option #1 - Action

Attend information meetings at least once a year or reads material on new crop or animal protection methods:

• reading material could include Best Management Practices series (with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada)
• -Integrated Pest Management
• information meetings are available through various pesticide companies, agricultural groups, and agri-environmental groups.

Option #2 - Action

Attend information meetings at least twice a year or read material on new crop or animal protection methods and apply new knowledge:

• try out the non-chemical alternatives, the new types of pesticides, better application methods that you have learned in order to find a pest management plan that best suits your individual needs.

For more information:

• Pesticide Contamination of Farm Water Supplies, OMAFRA Factsheet Order No. 00-099
• Pesticide Handling Facility, OMAFRA Factsheet Order No. 94-037
• Grower Pesticide Safety Course Manual
• Best Management Practices Books: Pesticide Storage, Handling and Application, Order No. BMP 13; Water Management, Order No. BMP 07; Integrated Pest Management, Order No. BMP 09

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Issue: 20-2 Pesticide training

If pesticides are chosen as the method of pest management, any person handling pesticides must be certified through the Ontario Pesticide Education Program.

What can you do?

Option #1 - Action

At least one person on the farm is Certified who supervises Trained Assistants handling pesticides and all Grower Pesticide Safety Course recommendations are followed:

• any employees, family members or seasonal workers who handle Schedule 2 or 5 pesticides must be a Trained Assistant

Option #2 - Action

• everyone who handles pesticides is a Certified Grower and all Grower Pesticide Safety Course recommendations are followed.

For more information:

• Pesticide Contamination of Farm Water Supplies, OMAFRA Factsheet Order No. 00-099
• Pesticide Handling Facility, OMAFRA Factsheet Order No. 94-037
• Grower Pesticide Safety Course Manual
• Best Management Practices Books: Pesticide Storage, Handling and Application, Order No. BMP 13; Water Management, Order No. BMP 07; Integrated Pest Management, BMP Order No. 09

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Issue: 20-3 Crop rotation used

Crop rotation is an important part of pest management because it meets objectives such as reduced pest habitat, soil improvement, and reduced pest food source. Rotation should be between crops that can successfully compete with weeds and those that can not, crops that require different types of herbicides, and crops that need little or no herbicides. Crop rotation reduces the risk of plant disease, reduces the population of pests specific to one crop, increases yields, and reduces soil erosion. The longer the rotation, the less opportunity there is for pests to become established. By including a legume crop in the rotation, soil structure, organic matter, and nitrogen supply will improve.

What can you do?

Option #1 - Action

Use a minimum three-crop rotation that includes cereals (no legumes underseeded):

• a three-crop rotation provides less opportunity for pests to become established since the pest cycle is broken by planting a non-susceptible crop into the residue of the host crop.

Option #2 - Action

Use a minimum three-crop rotation that includes legumes underseeded into cereals:

• this will establish a better soil structure, organic matter and nitrogen supply

For more information:

• Pesticide Contamination of Farm Water Supplies, OMAFRA Factsheet Order No. 00-099
• Pesticide Handling Facility, OMAFRA Factsheet Order No. 94-037
• Grower Pesticide Safety Course Manual
• Best Management Practices Books: Pesticide Storage, Handling and Application, Order No. BMP 13; Water Management, Order No. BMP 07; Integrated Pest Management, BMP Order No. 09

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Issue: 20-4 Pest monitoring (including weeds)

It is important to continuously monitor your crops for pests, so that you know as soon as possible when a pest problem occurs. Through careful monitoring the kind of pest, the number of pests, and the extent of pest damage can be discovered. Monitoring can be done by visual on a representative plant), traps (lures pest into a container), and sweep nets (for foliar insects that can be dislodged). By monitoring the pest situation on your land, you can make an informed decision as to whether pest control is needed.

What can you do?

Option #1 - Action

Inspect crops for pests and adjust controls and treatments based on pest levels.

• it is important to monitor for pests during EACH stage of crop development
  • fruit set
  • flowering
  • early development

Option #2 - Action

Inspect crops for pests during critical periods of crop development and only use pest control when there is the possibility of damage:

• control measures should only be taken when the pest population is large enough to do damage to the crop
• critical periods of crop development are;
  • fruit set
  • flowering
  • early development

For more information:

• Pesticide Contamination of Farm Water Supplies, OMAFRA Factsheet Order No. 00-099
• Pesticide Handling Facility, OMAFRA Factsheet Order No. 94-037
  Grower Pesticide Safety Course Manual
• Best Management Practices Books: Pesticide Storage, Handling and Application, Order No. BMP 13; Water Management, Order No. BMP 07; Integrated Pest Management, BMP Order No. 09

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Issue: 20-5 Methods of control

Many pest control options exist. Greater use of a variety of pest management methods results in a slower development of pest resistance compared to reliance on a single management method due to reduced selection pressure.

Use low risk methods of pest control when possible.

What can you do?

Option #1 - Action

Assess all options for pest control and if chemicals are selected the impact on the environment is considered:

• site selection: choose sites less favourable for pest development
• resistant or tolerant cultivars: Select cultivars less susceptible to disease or insect pressure
• crop rotation: Some insects and diseases over-winter in crop refuse. Rotating to a non-related crop where possible may help to break the pest cycle
• certified planting/nursery stock: Use disease or virus free plants to reduce the likelihood of losses
• sanitation: Remove all sources of infection (cull piles and dropped fruit) from the field or orchard
• eliminate alternate hosts: Weeds and wild fruit trees, grapevines and brambles often act as alternative hosts to many crop pests. Maintain good weed control and eliminate wild hosts from the perimeter of the planting
• inter-cropping: Avoid inter-cropping plants with similar pest complexes. Non-related crops planted in close proximity can act as a barrier to insects and diseases
• habitat modification: Plant cover crops to promote beneficial organisms
• pruning and training: Prune and remove infected plant to reduce pest pressure. Pruning and training plants to improve air movement within the canopy, will also improve spray coverage
• water management: Avoid planting in poorly drained locations. Timely irrigation can reduce plant stress during drought and increase tolerance to pests
• nutrient management and plant health: Manage nutrients to avoid excessively lush terminal growth, which attracts some pests
• Physical removal: Remove weeds by cultivation , hand weeding, or smothering with mulch, remove insects using propane flamers
• trap crops: Crops are used to lure pests away from primary crops
• biological control: Using pest's natural enemies to help suppress pest populations
• factors such as residue, toxicity, effects on non-target crops, animals etc. should be considered when using chemical control
• choose the chemical that will have the least effect on the environment while still managing pest problems effectively.

For more information:

• OMAFRA Fruit Production Recommendations Publication 360

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Issue: 20-6 Resistance management

Pests are resistant when they survive exposure to pesticides at rates that previously controlled them. Generally, resistance to a pesticide develops after repeated exposure to a specific chemical.

Sprays applied to control one pest can affect the status of resistance of other pests within the complex.

Resistance occurs because a few naturally occurring resistant individuals survive after each spray, while the susceptible portion of the population is killed. These resistant survivors multiply and gradually replace the susceptible ones. Eventually the resistant population dominates, and the pesticide loses its effectiveness.

Management programs for pesticide resistance (fungicide, insecticide, herbicide), host variety (genetic) resistance and pest resistance emphasizes an integrated approach that stresses prevention and avoids the over-use of a single strategy, product (chemical family or genetic resistance source) or technology. All management strategies are susceptible to resistance and therefore, a lack of an integrated resistance management program increases the possibility or likelihood of resistance problems developing.

What can you do?

Option #1 - Action

Pesticide application based on scouting, pesticides rotated, monitoring for resistance and damage, some IPM measures used, common refugia used and crops rotated:

• use pesticidesas part of an integrated pest management program
• use pesticides at recommended rates
• monitor weather conditions
• calibrate sprayer
• refer to previous scouting records to determine the disease problems in the field
• grow varieties that are resistant, tolerant or combine both to the diseases that are present in the field (if available)
• record information to assist with future variety selection

Option #2 - Action

Pesticide application based on scouting, need and pest identification, monitor for resistant pests and damage, use IPM measures, implement an insect resistance management program and rotate different crops and resistant genes:

• apply pesticides when pests are most vulnerable (requires scouting, identification and understanding pest life cycles
• monitor weather conditions
• calibrate sprayer
• tank mix pesticides with multiple modes of action (if available) and rotate pesticides with different modes (sites) of action from year to year
• rotate crops with different pest spectrums
• integrate non-chemical control
• proper implementation of the IRM plan will reduce the risk of insect resistance and maintain the sustainability of transgenic technologies
• rotate varieties with alternate sources of resistance.
• monitor resistant or tolerant varieties for damage and determine if resistance is developing
• record information to assist with future variety selection.

For more information:

• Pesticide Contamination of Farm Water Supplies, OMAFRA Factsheet Order No. 00-099
• Pesticide Handling Facility, OMAFRA Factsheet Order No. 94-037
• Grower Pesticide Safety Course Manual
• Best Management Practices Books: Pesticide Storage, Handling and Application, Order No. BMP 13; Water Management, Order No. BMP 07; Integrated Pest Management, BMP Order No. 09

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Issue: 20-7 Record keeping

By keeping detailed records of pest control methods, monitoring records, weather records, cropping practices, and yield data, you will be able to improve things for the future. Records can help you to evaluate your results, plan pest control strategies for the future, and document costs of various control measures.

What can you do?

Option #1 - Action

Keep records for all pesticides used with information on:

• date of application
• type of chemical
• rates applied
• target pest
• weather conditions

Option #2 - Action

Keep records for all pesticides used including all of the information in option #1 plus:

• stage of crop and pest development
• chemical family/grouping number of pesticides.

For more information:

• Field Pocket Guide, OMAFRA Publication No. 820

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Issue: 20-8 Sprayer calibration and maintenance

If sprayers aren't calibrated properly, many problems can occur. Uneven or inconsistent application rates can miss a significant number of pests in your field, can leave excessive residue levels on food products, and can deposit too much product on sensitive crops. With proper sprayer calibration, you can verify that the equipment is functioning properly, ensure that you are applying the recommended dosage, and accurately predict the number of tanks and total application time.

What can you do?

Option #1 - Action

Service and calibrate spray and granular equipment before the start of each crop season and rinse and recalibrate sprayer between application of different pesticides:

• it is important that calibration is done before the crop season so that no damage is done to crops due to uneven application.

Option #2 - Action

Service and calibrate spray and granular equipment before the start of each crop season and rinse and recalibrate sprayer between application of different pesticides and repeat calibration at least once during the growing season.

For more information:

• Pesticide Contamination of Farm Water Supplies, OMAFRA Factsheet Order No. 00-099
• Pesticide Handling Facility, OMAFRA Factsheet Order No. 94-037
• Grower Pesticide Safety Course Manual
• Best Management Practices Books: Pesticide Storage, Handling and Application, Order No. BMP 13; Water Management, Order No. BMP 07; Integrated Pest Management, BMP Order No. 09

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Issue: 20-9 Pesticide drift control and pattern uniformity

Drift is the airborne movement and deposition of particles or droplets outside the target area. There are two types of drift:

1. Spray Drift - This is the aerial movement of pesticide droplets after release over the area being treated. It is facilitated primarily by wind, and air-currents. Large or coarse droplets normally move laterally only, short distances fall in or close to the target. On the other hand, small particles can remain suspended on air-currents for long periods and be carried and deposited at varying distances from the point of discharge and out of the target area.
   
   
2. Vapour Drift - This is the movement of vapors generated as a result of volatilization or evaporation of the pesticide and subsequent movement by wind to non-target areas. Evaporation may occur from droplets at the time of application or following deposition on plant or soil surfaces following application.

The factors causing drift can be complex involving environmental conditions and spray practices. The environmental conditions of greatest importance are wind direction and velocity, air-turbulence, relative humidity, barometric pressure, and air-temperature.

In general, equipment that produces spray of large droplet size will have a lower potential for creating problems of spray drift. Droplet sizes can most easily be increased by altering the sizes and types of nozzle. Equipment can be chosen and adjusted to produce a minimum of fine droplets.

The most important spray practices involve the size of spray nozzles, the height of spray release above the target or canopy and the spray pressure. Once released spray droplets do not remain of constant size but decrease in size through evaporation and/or volatilization.

What can you do?

Option - Action

Select equipment and techniques to maximize coverage and minimize drift:

• select appropriate nozzle types to maximize spray coverage and minimize spray drift
• reduce the distance between the nozzle and the target when spraying
• keep nozzles and equipment free flowing at all times and check nozzles frequently for wear and blockage
• clean or replace nozzles when required.
• calibrate each nozzle to determine when excessive weari has occurred
• spray equipment can be chosen (air blast, boom type, boomless type and wiper/wick sprayers) and adjusted to produce a minimum of fine droplets
• become familiar with the toxicity, volatility, formulation and how these influence the product's drift potential. The same pesticide may be available in other formulations less volatile than others
• spray applications should occur when there is no wind or when the velocity is low
• do not spray when the air temperature is very high (excess 30°C) or predicted to become high within hours and when the relative humidity is low.

For more information:

• Pesticide Contamination of Farm Water Supplies, OMAFRA Factsheet Order No. 00-099
• Pesticide Handling Facility, OMAFRA Factsheet Order No. 94-037
• Grower Pesticide Safety Course Manual, 2004
• Best Management Practices Books: Pesticide Storage, Handling and Application, Order No. BMP 13; Water Management, Order No. BMP 07; Integrated Pest Management, BMP Order No. 09

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Issue: 20-10    Spray application accuracy

Apply the pesticide in a proper and accurate method to ensure continuous spray coverage without excess overlaps for all spray applications. Proper placement of spray:

1. reduces pest resistance selection
2. delivers optimum or proper product rate to target
3. reduces pesticide cost and plant damage potential

What can you do?

Option - Action

Apply the pesticide in a proper and accurate method to ensure continuous spray coverage without excess overlaps for spray applications. This can be achieved by using the following:

• foam marker
• tram lines
• GPS
• follow planter tracks, drill marks, count rows, etc.

For more information:

• Pesticide Contamination of Farm Water Supplies, OMAFRA Factsheet Order No. 00-099
• Pesticide Handling Facility, OMAFRA Factsheet Order No. 94-037
• Grower Pesticide Safety Course Manual
• Best Management Practices Books: Pesticide Storage, Handling and Application, Order No. BMP 13; Water Management, Order No. BMP 07; Integrated Pest Management, BMP Order No. 09

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Issue: 20-11 Protective clothing and personal protective equipment

Pesticides can be extremely hazardous to humans if they are not handled properly. Safety precautions that need to be taken during pesticide handling include: clean clothing, respirator, chemical-resistant gloves with cuffs turned back, chemical-resistant apron (not leather), safety goggles, waterproof boots, and a face shield or mask. It is important to not only wear protective clothing when handling pesticides directly, but also when handling materials contaminated with pesticides. Gloves should be the last item of protective clothing removed and should be rinsed before they are taken off to prevent exposure to pesticides. Protective clothing should regularly be inspected for holes and tears, and should be replaced as soon as possible if holes are detected.

What can you do?

Option #1 - Action

Always check the pesticide label for safety precautions and use protective clothing and personal safety equipment:

• each pesticide will have varying toxicity and therefore it is important that precautions are read before use so that appropriate safety measures can be taken during handling, application and cleanup
• protective clothing includes: clean clothing, chemical-resistant gloves and apron, waterproof boots
• safety equipment includes: respirator, safety goggles, face shield.

Option #2 - Action

Always check the pesticide label for safety precautions and use protective clothing and personal safety equipment and clean and properly maintain all protective clothing and safety equipment:

• test respirator and replace cartridge when needed
• inspect clothing for holes and tears and replace when necessary
• wear gloves when cleaning clothing and equipment to prevent exposure.

For more information:

• Pesticide Contamination of Farm Water Supplies, OMAFRA Factsheet Order No. 00-099
• Pesticide Handling Facility, OMAFRA Factsheet Order No. 94-037
• Grower Pesticide Safety Course Manual
• Best Management Practices Books: Pesticide Storage, Handling and Application, Order No. BMP 13; Water Management, Order No. BMP 07; Integrated Pest Management, Order No. BMP 09

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Issue: 20-12 Weather conditions (spraying for pest control and tillage for weed control) 

Pesticides should not be applied when heavy rains are expected, because they can easily wash off and contaminate surface and ground water supplies. Other weather related factors, such as temperature, can affect the breakdown of pesticides. Applying pesticides when there is a strong wind is not advisable due to the risk of drifting to off-site areas. Tillage in strong wind is also not recommended, as the risk for soil erosion increases.

What can you do?

Option #1 - Action

Spraying or tillage plans are based on 24 hour forecasts for rain and wind, if rain or high winds begin spray or tillage operations are stopped.

Option #2 - Action

Do not spray or till if winds are greater than 10 km/hr and do not spray or till when heavy rain is expected within 24 hours:

• this speed of wind causes small branches to move in the wind and would result in substantial soil erosion and pesticide drift
• heavy rains would wash pesticides and soil away into nearby surface water.

For more information:

• Pesticide Contamination of Farm Water Supplies, OMAFRA Factsheet Order No. 00-099
• Pesticide Handling Facility, OMAFRA Factsheet Order No. 94-037
• Grower Pesticide Safety Course Manual
• Best Management Practices Books: Pesticide Storage, Handling and Application, Order No. BMP 13; Water Management, Order No. BMP 07; Integrated Pest Management, BMP Order No. 09

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Issue: 20-13 Separation distance of pesticide application from surface water or well

It is important that a minimum separation distance is kept between pesticide application and any surface water or well.

What can you do?

Option #1 - Action

Only spray pesticides more than 9m (30 feet) from surface water, more than 24m (76 feet) from a drilled well and more than 47m (151 feet) from a bored/dug well:

• these distances reduce the potential for runoff or drift to reach surface water or wells.

Option #2 - Action

Only spray pesticides more than 9m (30 feet) from surface water, comply with any buffer zone distances on the label and spray more than 90m (300 feet) from any well.

For more information:

• Pesticide Contamination of Farm Water Supplies, OMAFRA Factsheet Order No. 00-099
• Water Wells & Groundwater Supplies, the Protection of Water Quality in Bored and Dug Wells, MOE, 2003
• Water Wells & Groundwater Supplies, the Protection of Water Quality in Drilled Wells, MOE, 2003

Infosheet Table of Contents

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