The Green Spot 



Are You Ready for IPM? 



How well do you score. ..biologically speaking? 

 Choose the best, most honest answers to the test 

 questions below. Tally up your points — the number of 

 the answer is the amount that answer's worth. Com- 

 pare your tally to the ranges in the score box. 



A. How often do you scout your crops for pests and 

 diseases? 



1. I have a regular, weekly scouting program. 



2. Every week or so. 



3. Whenever the mood hits me. 



4. Never. 



B. When do you typically treat for pests with chemicals? 



1. At the very first sign of their presence in the crop. 



2. When their numbers reach a specific density. 



3. When pressured to do so by the state, customers, etc 



4. When horrific pest pockets are noticed. 



C. How do you typically spray? 



1. Thoroughly, but only in problem areas I spot-treat). 



2. Thoroughly, in the entire crop or range. 



3. Sporadically. 



4. I'm not sure. 



D. How do you react to the presence of pests? 



1. I assess the situation to uncover all possible options. 



2. 1 wait for a week or two to see what happens. 



3. I access the situation to determine what to spray. 



4. I spray the entire range immediately. 



E. Are you likely to try a new pest-control product? 



1. Very likely. 



2. Somewhat likely. 



3. Not very likely. 



4. Very unlikely 



F. V/hich comment best describes your pest-control budget? 



1. Open and somewhat flexible. 



2. Things can be worked in. 



3. Spoken for. 



4. Budget? 



G. How do you approach a problem with your crop? 



1. I try to be scientific and open-minded 



2. I want to fix it and control it. 



3. I find the responsible party and tell them to fix it. 



4. I hope it goes away 



H. Do you regularly read up on the latest trade 

 innovations? 



1. Always. 



2. Sometimes. 



3. Not very often 

 4 Never. 



I. How do you feel about insects? 



1 . Depends on what kind. 



2. If 1 don't bother them, they won't bother me. 



3. Yuk! lust keep them away from me. 



4. The deader, the better. 



J. Do you interact with your customers? 



1. Always: workshops, seminars, education and 

 enlightenment. 



2. Most of the time: plant culture tips. etc. 



3 Hardly ever I'll answer their questions if they ask. 

 4. Never. 



How did you do? Are you ready for biological pest 

 control? If you scored 10-16 points, you should be do- 

 ing IPM — if you're not already. If you scored 17-23 

 points, you should consider trying IPM. If you scored 

 24-30 points, you might consider reading up on the 

 subject and taking possible steps toward it — but 

 slowly. If you scored 31 points or higher, forget it — 

 IPM is just not right for you at this time. 

 Mike Cfierim is president of The Green Spot, Ltd., Department 

 of Bio-Ingenuity. 93 Priest Road, Nottingham, NH 03290- 

 6204. He can be reached at 603-942-8925. 



MICHAUD 



Nurseries & Greenhouses, Inc. 



Route 85, PO Box 334, Exeter, \H 03833 

 (603) 772-3698 



Wholesale & Retail 



Annuals, Perennials, Nurser>- Stock, 



Lontainer-Grown 



cjhrubs, Roses 



Z^vlilies 



Davis Brook Farm 



lo6 Bonds Comer Road, P.O. Box 4-6 

 Hancock, New Hampshire 03449-04-6 

 Plione/Fai 603-525-4-28 



George -V. 71mm 

 Owner 



JUNE a. JULY 1997 



