ENTFACT-328: Home and Small-Scale Vegetable Insect Management   |  Download PDF

by Ric Bessin, Extension Specialist
University of Kentucky College of Agriculture

This guide addresses the most common arthropod pests of vegetables grown in Kentucky and provides scouting thresholds used to make management decisions, cultural controls for small-scale producers and home gardeners, and examples of insecticides that can be used for particular pest problems. While specific values are provided for insect thresholds, these are frequently adjusted up or down based on an individual’s tolerance for damage, cost of control specific control tactics, changes in the value of the commodity and level of control expected with a particular control.

Scouting thresholds are designed as guides to help determine if it is worthwhile to control a pest problem. When the pest density is below the threshold level, there are not enough pests to justify the cost of controlling them. However, when pest numbers exceed the threshold level, it is expected that the cost of the damage pest will cause is likely to exceed the cost of control.

Figure 1. Whiteflies on a tomato leaf in a high tunnel.

Generally, those that are willing to accept more damage will use a higher threshold before using a tactic. When a control tactic is more expensive, the threshold to use that control is higher in order to justify that expense. However, as the value of a commodity increases, the threshold will decrease as each unit of that commodity is more valuable. Likewise, when a commodity becomes less valuable, then the threshold to use a control tactic will increase.

Issued: 12/24

CAUTION! Pesticide recommendations in this publication are registered for use in Kentucky, USA ONLY! The use of some products may not be legal in your state or country. Please check with your local county agent or regulatory official before using any pesticide mentioned in this publication.

Of course, ALWAYS READ AND FOLLOW LABEL DIRECTIONS FOR SAFE USE OF ANY PESTICIDE!