Home > Lawn & Garden > Commercial Horticulture > Pest Management > Scouting and Biological Control of Two-spotted Spider Mite [Image: TSM adult and eggs] In recent years, IPM programs are becoming more attractive to ornamental growers. Scouting is a key component of any IPM and helps you to (1) detect when pests are first present, (2) make proper control decisions and (3) monitor whether your control practices are effective. Here are some tips on how to scout and practice IPM for the control of one of the top greenhouse pests - twospotted spider mite. Bug Biz: Twospotted Spider Mites in Strawberries [Image: spider mites] The twospotted spider mite is one of the most persistent and damaging pest problems affecting strawberry production in Louisiana. Damage, description, life cycle, monitoring, control information and color photos included. Spanish version also included. (PDF Format Only) Best Management Practices - Pest Management An abundance of weeds, diseases and insects plague Louisiana’s home landscapes. The adoption of BMPs and integrated pest management (IPM) will reduce these problems. Optimizing Pesticide Performance Factors that influence pesticide performance include water quality, coverage, agitation, mixing, watering practices, water temperature, rotation, application time, pesticide incompatibility, residual activity and surfactant use.  more articles... Broadcast Baits for Fire Ant Control [Image: Fire Ant Control] A Southern IPM Center publication. When choosing a broadcast bait to control imported fire ants, consumers and professional pesticide applicators face a confusing array of brand names and active ingredients with varying product performances. This guide addresses common concerns about broadcast baits to help consumers and professionals choose products that best fit their needs and situations. (PDF Format Only) Soil Fertility And Plant Growth In Soils From Pine Forests And Plantations: Effect Of Red Imported Fire Ants, Solenopsis Invicta (Buren) [Image: Soil fertility and plant growth in soils from pine forests and plantations: Effect of invasive red imported fire ants Solenopsis invicta (Buren)] Through nest building and foraging activities, ants alter physical properties and nutritional status of soils through structural modifications and nutrient accumulation. In turn, these alterations may enhance soil quality for plant growth. This study examined the effect of the invasive red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta Buren, on soil properties and plant growth. Argentine Ant Habitat [Image: Poster image] This poster addresses habitat preferences and where Argentine ants can be found. Daylily Rust Control with Biofungicides [Image: Stella de Oro] Daylily is an economically important nursery crop for Louisiana growers. It was relatively disease-free before the arrival of daylily rust in 2000. Commercial growers and homeowners rely solely on fungicides for rust control, which is expensive and time consuming. Biofungicides are biological or bio-rational alternatives that control disease by different modes of action. If effective, they can reduce control cost and provide resistance management tools. Argentine Ant: Feeding Preferences and Strategies [Image: Flyer image] This poster discusses natural feeding preferences, adapted feeding preferences and feeding strategies of the Argentine Ant. Eastern Lubber Grasshoppers are on the Move [Image: photo of lubber grasshopper] Periodically, grasshoppers have been of economic importance, but a few species sometimes occur in large enough numbers to damage citrus, vegetable crops and landscape ornamentals. One of the species most commonly causing damage is the eastern lubber grasshopper. The Pest Ants of Louisiana: A Guide to Their Identification, Biology and Control [Image: Pest Ant Pub Cover] Ants range from mildly irritating to highly annoying. Knowing the species, its biology and potential control methods can help you manage them. This is a useful reference for pest management professionals, extension personnel and homeowners. A key to ants, color photographs, diagrams and a glossary are included. Spiral-bound copies are available for $12.50 each. To purchase using a major credit card, click on "order publication." Plant Disease Control Guide [Image: Plant Disease Control Guide] This guide is revised as needed. The most important or more prevalent diseases of the more common or important plants are included in this edition. Louisiana Suggested Chemical Weed Management Guide [Image: weed mgmt guide] This 2012 guide includes helpful information on herbicides and weed control with detailed suggestions for aquatics, commercial nursery stock, field crops, forestry, fruit crops, home gardens, lawns and many other Louisiana crops. It includes information on different types of herbicide registrations, as well as information on herbicide labels and restricted uses. Also included are sprayer calibration techniques, suggestions for reducing herbicide drift and a guide to proper spray tip selection. Pathologist Stalks Plant Disease Known As Sudden Oak Death A relatively new disease of trees and ornamental plants has found its way into Louisiana, and officials are keeping watch to make sure it doesn’t spread. It is sudden oak death.