From tree fruits to vegetables to row crops, the East Coast features a multitude of crops, which means a variety of insect challenges. Regardless, there are common practices to monitor for insects as we move into summer months when these pests become a major concern.

A few integrated pest management principles include:

• Scouting to identify the presence and infestation level of insects: Each crop will have different recommendations for properly accomplishing this – from using sweep nets to drop cloths to pheromone traps.
• Noting presence of beneficial insects: These good bugs can play a role in managing certain damaging insects, so it’s important to take note of any beneficials, such as lady bugs, green lacewing, minute pirate bug and assassin bug.
• Identifying treatment thresholds: Your extension entomologist or crop consultant can help identify the infestation level that warrants an insecticide treatment.

When an insecticide treatment is called for, we recommend Besiege® insecticide to manage a broad spectrum of lepidopteran, sucking and chewing insects across a wide range of crops. It provides both rapid knockdown and long-lasting residual control using dual modes of action that deliver control through contact, ingestion and ovicidal activity.

To keep tabs on insects that may be invading fields, we also recommend signing up for state-specific updates via text message through our Pest Patrol program. University experts report on which pests they’re seeing in states across the South.

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