07/27/2026
Scouting is the first step in any good pest management strategy.
While inspecting this viburnum and sweet potato vine, I found whiteflies. But I didn’t stop there — I looked closer and found assassin bugs already working in the landscape.
After evaluating the situation, I decided no treatment was needed. The whitefly population was low, the beneficial insect population was strong, and the natural predators were already doing the job.
This is the foundation of Integrated Pest Management (IPM): don’t react — evaluate.
A landscape with a few pests can still be a healthy landscape. In many cases, pests attract the beneficial insects that help keep future outbreaks in check.
The problem with unnecessary spraying is that it doesn’t just remove the pest — it removes the predators too.
The goal isn’t a landscape with no insects. The goal is a balanced ecosystem where nature is part of the maintenance strategy.