Pest Management is a system that, in the context of associated environment and population dynamics of the pest species, utilizes all suitable techniques and methods in as compatible a manner as possible and maintains pest populations at levels below those causing economic injury.
Pest Management is defined as the intelligent selection and use of pest control tactics that will ensure favourable economical, ecological and sociological consequences.
Why Pest Management?
Development of resistance in insects against insecticides
Out break of secondary pests
Resurgence of target pests
When number of application increases, profit decreases.
Environmental contamination and reduction in its quality.
Killing of non-target animals and natural enemies.
Human and animal health hazards.
Objectives of Pest Management:
To reduce pest status below economic injury level. Complete elimination of pest is not the objective.
To manage insects by not only killing them but by preventing feeding, multiplication and dispersal.
To use eco-friendly methods, which will maintain quality of environment (air, water, wild life and plant life).
To make maximum use of natural mortality factors, apply control measures only when needed.
To use component in sustainable crop production.
Requirements for Successful Pest Management Programme:
Correct identification of insect pests
Life history and behaviour of the pest
Natural enemies and weather factors affecting pest population
Pest surveillance will provide above data
Pest forecasting and predicting pest outbreak
Finding out ETL for each pest in a crop
Need and timing of control measure - Decision
Selection of suitable methods of control
Analysis of cost/benefit and benefit/risk of each control measure
Farmer’s awareness and participation
Government support
Consumer awareness on use of pesticides free products
Stages in crop protection leading to Pest Management:
Subsistence phase: Only natural control, no insecticide use
Exploitation phase: Applying more pesticides, growing HY varieties and get more yield and returns
Crisis phase: Due over use pesticides, problem of resurgence, resistance, secondary pest out break, increase in production cost
Disaster phase: Due to increased pesticide use - No profit, high residue in soil - Collapse of control system
Management Phase: eco-friendly methods to optimize control rather than maximize it.
Tools or Components of Pest Management:
Cultural method or use of agronomic practices - Crop rotation, Crop refuse destruction, Tillage of Soil, Variation in time of planting or harvesting, Pruning or thinning, Fertilizer Management, Water Management, Inter-cropping, Trap crop
Mechanical methods of pest control - Hand destruction, Exclusion by screens, barriers, Trapping, suction devices, collecting machine, Crushing and grinding
Biological methods - Protection and encouragement of NE, Introduction, artificial increase and colonizing specific parasitoids and predators, Pathogens on insects like virus, bacteria, fungi and protozoa, Use of botanicals like neem, pongam, etc.
There are several different ways to get rid of pests. Here are four types of pest control.
Chemical Pest Control:
The chemical method involves uses chemical treatments to deter any kind of pest. Chemical treatments tend to be one of the most popular types of control due to its effectiveness. Chemical pest control, particularly space fumigation, tends to work best for severe infestations.
You can opt for organic chemical treatments, with botanic or fermented products used to exterminate pests. There are also near-organic insecticides and synthetic insecticides to use.
Biological Pest Control:
Biological control involves the use of living organisms to control a pest population. Parasites, plant pathogens, and predators are often introduced as biological control agents. For instance, the spotted lady beetle will feed on the larvae of Colorado potato beetles. Chalcid wasps are parasites that will feed on whiteflies. Certain strands of bacteria, fungi, and viruses can naturally infect a variety of pests.
Bigger predators include ferrets, dogs, and cats. Throughout history, ferrets, mongooses, and cats were often trained to hunt after snakes and rodents that infested rural areas.
Electronic Pest Control:
Recent technological advances have allowed for alternative ways of dealing with pest problems. Electromagnetic gadgets will target the nervous systems of certain species, repelling mice, rodents, arts and other insects. Ultrasonic devices are also used to emit high frequency sound ways that affect small vermin species.
Physical Pest Control:
People who lack chemical, biological and electronic means of controlling a pest population will often rely on physical methods. Physical pest control uses natural barriers like nets or plastic sheets to protect crops.
Download, Read & Share: Act, Rules, SOPs for Pest Management, Pest Control Guideline-BRC, Instruction for Safe Use of Pesticide, Guidelines for Strengthening and Modernization of Pest Management Approach in India, etc.
