With the passage of Proposition 65 by a two to one majority, the citizens of California sent the Green Industry a message, "We are tired of toxics polluting our environment." Although Prop. 65 makes claims that it will solve toxic problems, we, as professionals and business people, must be fully aware of the responsibility we have for the care of environment. With this in mind, I felt it necessary to write an article on how we as landscape professionals can help reduce future pesticide contamination.

By examining present practices we can begin to develop new pest management strategies. This will undoubtably cause some people great stress. The apparent trend in pest management is either to grab a bottle of whatever is easiest to reach and drench the poor pest, or to ignore the pest problem until the damage is so bad that the landscape must be completely replanted. Neither of these practices endear us to the general public nor do much for our professional image. What I am proposing to you is a "back to basics" approach that many of us have long since abandoned for the more faddish "new high-tech" methods.

With this and further articles I will attempt to cover preventative plant maintenance techniques that will assist you in reducing your dependency on chemical pesticides. It is also my desire to show you what pesticides or pest management practices are best suited for the pest problems commonly found in both the exterior and interior landscape. I will be basing much of my information on current Integrated Pest Management programs, personal experiences and experiences of professional landscape managers in the field.

Before embarking upon a pest control program in either the exterior or interior landscape you should complete three steps.

The first step is critical for the well being of your business. You must obtain a license from the county Department of Agriculture (in California, check regulations for your own state) if you intend to perform pest control services as a part or whole of your business. You must register this pest control license in the county that you wish to work in. For more information on this licensing procedure, contact your local county Department of Agriculture. If you apply pesticides without the license, you are automatically in violation of the state laws, and are subject to monetary penalties and civil prosecution. The testing is painless, and many of you have not received the word about the requirement for licensing. You will come away with greater knowledge of pesticides primarily in regard to their safe and effective use. And that generally translates into reduced costs to you and your customer. Make this one of your priority duties to complete before you begin applying pesticides.

The second step you must take in the battle over pests is quite simple and yet over-looked as necessary. You must correctly identify the problem before you can manage or treat it. This sounds silly, but how often have you treated a symptom and not the problem? If our vehicle makes a pinging noise we waste little time in opening the hood and investigating the engine, but let a bush turn yellow and without investigating the roots or trunk, we throw fertilizer or pesticides on it and walk away content that we have affected a cure. If you are not sure what pest problem you are treating, how then can you logically select a treatment program? Your local county Department of Agriculture, Co-Op Extension, established nursery, or knowledgeable pest control consultant are just a few of the information sources at your disposal. Their advice is often free! Develop a good library at home that you can turn to. Remember to take fresh samples of the pest problem to anyone that can help you in identifying the cause, samples left in your car or truck for two days may not be of any help. Keep track of problem plants and landscape areas, refer back to these notes as they show up in new projects. There is no need to learn the same lesson twice.

After correctly identifying the pest problem, your third step will be guided by the following information. The age and health of the plant should be examined; can it tolerate the pest problem and therefore not need treating or is it old and debilitated, therefore requiring additional help in staying healthy. Can the pest problem be pruned off or removed? I have often pruned aphids off otherwise insect free plants. Are there beneficial insects or microorganisms at work that should be left in place? Are there any cultural practices that can be changed that will correct the pest problems? You might be throwing out good money after bad if you are treating the symptom and not the cause. An example of this would be spraying for powdery mildew on roses that are being grown in too much shade, on the coast, and too close together. If you are going to spray something, is it properly labeled for the pest in question? I have sadly seen many products abused by improper selection. If the pest and/or the site are not listed on the product label, then it may be illegal for you to apply the material. Let's not grab whatever is easiest to reach or sounds good, we need to read the label and follow the directions. Are there alternative pest control methods that can be used? We are entering an age of new technology, like it or not, and many of the "good old pesticides" are going to be removed from use. Start now in learning other methods for pest control, learn to use your mind and not your back to solve problems.

In her next article Cynthia Drake will concentrate on specific landscape problems and how you can best treat them.