No. 1/April 20, 2020
First Issue 2020
Welcome to the 2020 edition of the Home, Yard, and Garden Pest Newsletter. This newsletter is written to keep professional landscapers, arborists, golf course superintendents, lawn care personnel, and garden center operators up-to-date on the commercial management of diseases, weeds, insects, and other pests. We will report on the pests we are seeing and anticipating throughout Illinois. To assist us in these efforts, we ask for your help in reporting pest situations as you see them throughout the year. Your assistance will help us to provide relevant and timely content for all of Illinois. Most of the newsletter's authors are only able to scout a small portion of east-central Illinois. The various restrictions related to COVID-19 have further limited their scouting areas backyards and neighborhoods, making this request especially important. Please send pest reports to, Travis Cleveland, at tclevela@illinois.edu.
Modified Growing Degree Days (Base 50⁰ F, March 1 through April 19)
Insect development is temperature dependent. We can use degree days to help predict insect emergence and activity. Home, Yard, and Garden readers can use the links below with the degree day accumulations above to determine what insect pests could be active in their area.
University of Illinois Plant Clinic Operations During COVID-19
Normally, this would be the time to welcome spring and remind people of how to submit a sample to the Plant Clinic. However, this year the Plant Clinic is adjusting operations in accordance with state and university guidelines. The impact of the COVID-19 (novel coronavirus) continues to create uncertainty and concern both globally and here in our community. Following Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines, the University of Illinois has implemented social-distancing protocols that impact all university activities. Illinois Extension, as the outreach program of the university, aligns with all policies related to public health and safety.
When the Magnolia Blooms: Using the Saucer Magnolia as an Indicator Plant
When it comes to managing pests, woody plant professionals know that spraying at the optimal time will make applications more successful. Don Orton, the author of Coincide: The Orton System of Pest and Disease Management, taught us how to use phenology, i.e., the stages of plant development (usually bloom time) to predict stages in pest development and susceptibility to controls. The full bloom of the Saucer Magnolia (Magnolia x soulangeana) coincides with the emergence of spruce spider mites, Zimmerman pine moth caterpillars and eastern tent caterpillars. It is also the time those insects are the most susceptible to chemical control.
Spring Clean-up for Plant Disease Management
As we look around the landscape now, we see fresh, new growth emerging. There is not a great deal in the way of disease problems at present. To help keep it that way longer, try some of these common-sense spring clean-up tips.
Tips for Dealing with the Neighbors' Weeds
Recently, I read a social media post from a homeowner who was looking for guidance when dealing with his neighbor’s seemingly problematic weedy lawn. Unfortunately, many of the suggestions in the comments were alarming. There were numerous suggestions that herbicides secretly be used, more specifically Roundup. A couple things come to mind. First, this is not the appropriate herbicide to use in a lawn for controlling dandelion. Glyphosate, the active ingredient in Roundup, is nonselective meaning that it controls many types of plants including turfgrass, so damage will likely occur to the lawn. It could, however, be used for spot applications made directly to individual weeds such as a large dandelion, but really there are other herbicides that would provide greater control of dandelion. Also, keep in mind that some formulations of Roundup have additional herbicides to provide residual control. These should never be used on lawns. Second, no matter if you have the best of intentions or malicious intentions, it is illegal to apply a pesticide onto someone else’s property without their prior knowledge and agreement. Lawsuits can result. “Accidentally over spraying” from your property to theirs is illegal. Even if you are a licensed applicator, you need permission first.
COVID-19 Effects on Illinois Pesticide Applicator Training, Testing, and Licensing
The impact of the COVID-19 (novel coronavirus) continues to create uncertainty and concern both globally and here in our community. Following Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines, the University of Illinois has implemented social-distancing protocols that impact all university events. Illinois Extension, as the outreach program of the university, aligns with all policies related to public health and safety.