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 into 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 field corn in the Central Valley. This program does not cover sweet corn. Details on carrying out each practice and information on additional pests can be found in the Pest Management Guidelines: Corn. Color photo identification pages and example monitoring forms can be found at the forms and photo identification pages.