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Management of Other Pests

Organisms are considered pests in agricultural systems when they create economic loss or other undesirable impacts. Weeds, insects, and diseases are the most commonly recognized pests. However, there are other organisms that do not fall into the plant, arthropod, or microorganism categories that are pests. These include vertebrates such as mice, gophers, deer, and birds, all of which will feed on a number of crop plants. Slugs and snails are mollusks that can also be plant pests. For livestock producers, predators such as coyotes, weasels, and hawks can injure or kill farm animals. While these types of pests often receive less attention than insects, weeds, and diseases, for certain crops they can be one of the most important pests to control, and innovative research is needed to prevent damage while still enabling these creatures to be part of the biodiversity of the landscape.

 

Featured Publications

High Residue Farming Under Irrigation: Pest Management Considerations (series 4 of 5)

McGuire, A. This publication is the fourth in a series on high residue farming (HRF), for farmers who are interested in HRF. This publication gives an overview of the effects of adopting HRF on the management of weeds, insects, and diseases. EM074E.

 

Additional Publications

WSU Integrated Pest Management

WSU Entomology IPM website. Links to information on statewide IPM activities in Washington including crops, turf, garden, school grounds, and riparian buffers.

Cover Crops Influence Meadow Vole Presence in Organic Orchards

M. R. Wiman, Kirby, E. M., Granatstein, D. M., Sullivan, T. P. HortTechnology July–September 2009 19(3).

Material Registration for Organic Production – Winter 2008

Article in Sustaining the Pacific Northwest Newsletter

An Organic Pesticide is Still a Pesticide – April 2007

Article in Sustaining the Pacific Northwest Newsletter

Vole populations, tree fruit orchards, and living mulches

Sullivan, T. 2006. Research report to CSANR.

Vanquishing the Vole – June 2003

Article in Sustaining the Pacific Northwest Newsletter

Final Report: Alternative Pest Management Strategies for Integrated Pest Management

Feise, C. 2002. Washington State University. EPA GRANT NO. E980300013.

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