Pests and Insects in Agriculture

1. A pest is a small creature that is commonly known for attacking crops, animals and food.

2. An insect is categorized as a pest only when the insect is causing damage or harm. It is important to know that not all Insects are a danger to crop production. Some insects, like bees, actually benefit agriculture by pollinating and helping the environment.

3. Animals that can be peses are typically birds, mammals, or reptiles. A few examples are rabbits, mice, foxes, deer, and crows.

4. Insects that are pests are ticks, locausts, mosquitoes, beetles, spiders, slugs, grubs, and worms.

5. Plant weeds and diseases are also very damaging to crops. If the disease is not identified, or the disease is not controlled, it can spread and affect all parts of the plant.

6. Chemicals are often used to eliminate the destruction and damage caused by pests and insects. These chemicals are otherwise known as pesticides, insecticides, fungicides, and herbicides. Be sure to follow safety rules when handling chemicals, as they are harmful when ingested and inhaled.

7. Other management strategies that are often used are tilling, rotating crops, scouting fields, and planning planting dates.

8. Keeping up with housekeeping and sanitation throughout the farm or ranch is very important in lowering the chances of pests in your area.

9. Being aware of the signs of harmful pests and insects is important. Inspect crops, farm structures, and livestock areas to help eliminate infestations and reduce the damage and destruction.

10. What are some pests and insects that we are exposed to, and what are the management strategies that we use to control them?

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