Eliminating Food Sources with a Systemic Insecticide Spells S-O-S for Pests

 

When it comes to effective pest management programs, remember “S-O-S.” It’s an easy way for PMPs and distributors to remember to “Seek Out the Source” as they develop an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program.

 

Eliminating feeding sources is a cornerstone of an effective IPM program. When implementing a perimeter program, most PMPs know to examine for obvious food sources for pests such as ants – garbage areas, barbeque grills, etc. Other critical food sources that are often overlooked are landscape ornamentals and plants. Crepe Myrtle plants are one common culprit, and there are many others depending on where you are located. These ornamentals provide feeding grounds for certain plant-sucking insects, such as mealy bugs, white flies and aphids. They suck up the sugars from the leaves and stems, leaving behind honeydew, or sugar droplets, which provides a much-desired food for ants.

 

I’ve found that a systemic, non-repellant insecticide, such as Optigard^® Flex, can be a highly effective component of an ant management program when applied to landscape ornamentals to reduce an infestation of honeydew producers. By eliminating the honeydew producers, you eliminate the food source of the ants and limit the likelihood of them invading a building adjacent to the landscape ornamentals.

 

 

There are two common ways to apply a systemic insecticide for honeydew-producing insect control. My preferred method of application is a targeted soil-drench, which allows the roots to absorb the insecticide so it moves up through the leaves.  The second option is a foliar spray, which is absorbed by the leaves. Either way, the systemic action results in the translocation of the active ingredient through the leaves inside the xylem (where the water comes up through the plant) and the phloem (where the sugar moves through in the leaves). The honeydew producers suck up the systemic insecticide and they’re killed, eliminating a vital food source for the ants.

 

Another advantage of systemics in general is that they don’t harm the plants and reduces risks to  beneficial insects, such as butterflies which obtain the nectar from the flowers, so the insecticide on the plant isn’t going to be a concern for them.

 

Seek out the source – whether it’s a feeding ground or nesting area. S-O-S helps you better service your customers and spells trouble for target pests.