A balancing act: Saving trees from exotic pests while promoting pollinators and beneficial insects

摘要

How can pesticides be used to control invasive pests while causing the least damage to beneficial insects and pollinators?For the past 30 years or more, tree care professionals have been managing destructive insects by minimizing pesticide use and encouraging predators and par-asitoids that naturally keep pests under control. This approach is part of a plant health care methodology called integrated pest management (IPM), which uses specific strategies or best-management practices (BMPs) for preserving beneficial insects. In most states, landscape professionals must attend educational classes on pesticide safety and BMPs to receive their pesticide-applicator license, a requirement for purchasing restricted-use pesticides.