Introduction

Use these guidelines for a monitoring-based IPM program to effectively manage pests, while reducing the risks of pesticides on the environment and human health.

When a pesticide application is considered, review the Pesticide Application Checklist for information on how to minimize the risks of pesticide use to water and air quality. Water quality can be impaired when pesticides drift to waterways or when they move off-site. Air quality can be impaired when pesticide applications release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the atmosphere.

This year-round IPM program covers the major pests of cole crops in the Central Valley, Central and Southern Coast, and southern desert of California. Details on carrying out each practice, example monitoring forms, and information on additional pests can be found in the Pest Management Guidelines: Cole Crops. Color photo identification pages and example monitoring forms can be found at the forms and photo identification pages.