Integrated Pest Management

High Tunnel Pest Exclusion System Part II

With the increasing demand for local foods across the Southeast, an increasing number of beginning, as well as experienced producers are producing vegetable crops in high tunnels for direct and whole sale markets. From the insect management perspective, it is extremely critical to adopt pest prevention practices; the high tunnel pest exclusion (HTPE) system is one of the best relatively-low cost pest preventive practices available to producers in the Southeast. This HTPE technology uses a variety of shade cloths for a relatively permanent pest prevention strategy. This bulletin provides information on the use of HTPE systems on the farm.

Sustainable Methods to Control Mexican Bean Beetle in Snap Beans

BLACKSBURG, Virginia – Reflective plastic mulches, such as silver (metalized) or white, significantly reduces populations of Mexican bean beetles on snap beans, while significantly increasing yields, according to the results of a Virginia Tech study. Mexican bean beetle (Epilachna varivestis Mulsant) is a serious pest of snap bean varieties, causing injury by feeding on the […]

Physical Pest Exclusion with Shade Cloth

Alabama farmer Will Mastin describes his experience using shade cloth on a high tunnel to protect crops from some pests. Mastin's trials with shade cloth were funded by a grant from Southern SARE. Throughout his project, Mastin worked with Alabama Extension entomologist and Southern SARE state coordinator Dr. Ayanava Majumdar to improve the shade cloth technology. […]

Sustainable Blackberries and Raspberries

A handbook to guide growers in sustainable practices of fruit production from production practices to business management to marketing, for high tunnel and field production.

Management of Mexican Bean Beetle in Snap Beans Using Cultural Control Strategies

A series of fact sheets from Virginia Tech on cultural control strategies to manage the Mexican bean beetle, a pest of snap beans.

Stink Bug Pest a Challenge to Control Sustainably, But Strategies Exist

BLACKSBURG, Virginia – Virginia Tech entomologists studying Integrated Pest Management (IPM) techniques to manage the brown marmorated stink bug have found that it’s one tough pest to control sustainably. Based on the results of a Southern Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education On-Farm Research grant to manage the brown marmorated stink bug on peppers, control via […]

Trap Cropping in Vegetable Production: One Approach to Managing Pests

A bulletin on Southern SARE-funded research studies on trap cropping to manage vegetable pests.

Spotted Wing Drosophila: Pest Management Recommendations for Southeastern Blueberries

A fact sheet from University of Florida on Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies to manage the spotted wing Drosophila in blueberries.

Organic Horticulture Training for the Southeast

An interactive website to help ag professionals develop successful organic education programs.