Successful pest management often combines cultural management, biological control, and pest monitoring with carefully chosen and timed pesticide applications. This guide includes information about pesticide products that are registered for use on potatoes in Idaho, Oregon, and Washington. It is intended to help potato growers in the Interior Pacific Northwest choose pesticide products and apply them in a manner that effectively controls pests while minimizing risks to human health, beneficial and nontarget organisms, and the environment.
This guide includes general information about pesticide products and their use. The products are listed by their trade name, active ingredient, and (sometimes) formulation; not all generic products or product formulations are included. For each pesticide, use notes that describe when and how to make applications to control specific pests are also provided. This guide is not a substitute for obtaining, reading, and following pesticide label directions.
Efficacy ratings are included for each targeted pest and application timing. They are based on: 1) the inherent toxicity of the pesticide against its target; 2) the liklihood that the target will contact or ingest the product as applied; 3) the duration of impact on the target; and 4) undesired effects, such as negative impacts on natural enemies that could lead to future pest outbreaks. The ratings are (E = excellent, G = good, F = fair/suppression, P= poor, and ND = no data).
The use notes and efficacy ratings are based on information from the manufacturer’s label and on performance data from research trials. Following the recommendations in this guide will not guarantee acceptable performance of the pesticide. Consult your local extension or pest management specialist for further guidance.
