Forecasting

Understand Your Crop & Environment

Forecasting is imperative to the success of an Integrated Pest Management program as it allows the grower to prepare for the ample possibilities of issues that may occur. It requires that growers understand the kinds of pests that are common on the crops being cultivated throughout the growing season and learn about their life cycles. Knowing a pest's life cycle and preferred hosts allows you to:

  • Identify pest populations early on.
  • Decide the proper control measures.
  • Optimally time control measures when they will be most effective.
  • Collect Information useful for future growing seasons.

Common forecasting methods are early season insect Trapping, monitoring environmental conditions, researching Common Pests locally and determining likely hotspots for pest issues. After forecasting to the best of your abilities, move forward to the bulk of your Trapping and Monitoring measures.