After using Method 1-pps as part of an IPM protocol during the last year and a half we felt it is time to assess and communicate to our users everything we have learned. First, let me say that we are still impressed at what can be accomplished with this product and how little effect it has on your plants during the entire grow cycle. The lack of ingredients with residual characteristics means there is no issue with buildup on leaves and flowers so the end product will have virtually no effect from use of this product.

Since Method 1-pps is meant to be used in an IPM system let’s review what IPM is and where our product fits into such a system. IPM (Integrated Pest Management) is focused on long term management and prevention of pests accomplished by managing their ecosystem. These IPM principles and practices are combined to create IPM programs. While each situation is different, five major components are common to all IPM programs:

• Pest identification
• Monitoring and assessing pest numbers and damage
• Guidelines for when management action is needed
• Preventing pest problems
• Using a combination of biological, cultural, physical/mechanical and chemical management tools

Biological controls use natural enemies—predators, parasites, pathogens, and competitors—to control pests and their damage. Invertebrates, plant pathogens, nematodes, weeds, and vertebrates have many natural enemies.

Cultural controls are practices that reduce pest establishment, reproduction, dispersal, and survival. For example, changing irrigation practices since too much water can increase root disease and weeds.

Mechanical and physical controls kill a pest directly or make the environment unsuitable for it. Traps for pests, mulches for weed management, sterilization of the soil for disease management, or barriers such as screens to keep pests out.

Chemical control is the use of pesticides. In IPM, pesticides are used in combination with other approaches for more effective, long-term control. Also, pesticides are selected and applied in a way that minimizes their possible harm to people and the environment. With IPM you’ll use the most selective pesticide that will do the job and be the safest for other organisms and for air, soil, and water quality. That is the basis of Method 1-pps

It is in the first and last area (biological and chemical control) where Method 1-pps comes into play. We like to think of it as taking the chemicals out of chemical control and accomplishing the same thing with the most natural and safe ingredients possible. We do recommend using biological controls such as ladybugs to combat pests and Method 1-pps is minimally harmful to these beneficial bugs. But we do not recommend using chemicals on cannabis because of the possible harmful effects on the consumer as well as the environmental concerns. Just because it is on the shelf at your favorite grow store doesn’t mean it is a good thing to use on cannabis. A cursory survey of grow stores will expose many products that really shouldn’t be there.

IPM is a process that is not static but rather is constantly being redefined. It is fluid in that as environmental conditions change so does your IPM activities. A good example of what we mean is when the seasons change so does the life cycle of pests. My favorite, the Two Spotted Spider Mite, sharply accelerates its life cycle as the temperature increases and humidity decreases. Reproduction, feeding, population and damage all accelerate. So in response it becomes necessary to accelerate your IPM activities as well.

Following these lessons we have determined the following about Method 1-pps:

• The weakest recommended dilution of Method 1-pps (2 0z per gallon) is adequate under all conditions. We no longer recommend stronger mixes. Experience has shown us that rather than increasing the strength of the mix it is more effective to increase the frequency of application. Therefore, when the pest activity accelerates during the hot months you would increase the frequency of application, matching pace with the pest. Living spider mites are killed by the application and their eggs are slowly eroded over several applications. Removing live spider mites before they lay eggs will eadicate the problem pest over time.This means Method 1-pps is even more cost effective than we thought previously.
• To overcome an infestation of mites use the 2oz per gallon mixture every second day. Observe the eggs through a scope to determine when no viable eggs are left and you should then be free of pests. Then use method 1-pps once a week to maintain clean plants.
• At the weakest dilution it will not kill Ladybugs so they are a good biological control to use with Method 1-pps especially for indoor or greenhouse growing.
• While Method 1-pps is very effective, we do not recommend that you rely on it alone to control pests. Use all of the IPM strategies.
• Method 1-pps is effective against all mites including Russet Mites and Broadmites. In the case of these pests, proactive treatment is a huge help since you will never know you have Broadmites until the damage has already started.

We will be changing the directions on our label to reflect these findings. In the meantime, stay informed, learn to identify your pest. Use a scope to make the positive identification of pests. They are far too small to tell what is going on with the naked eye.

What is IPM

Integrated pest management (IPM) is an ecosystem-based strategy that focuses on long-term prevention of pests or their damage through a combination of techniques such as biological control, habitat manipulation, modification of cultural practices, and use of resistant varieties. Treatments are made with the goal of removing only the target organism. Pest control materials are selected and applied in a manner that minimizes risks to human health, beneficial insects, non-target organisms, and the environment. IPM focuses on prevention of pests and their damages by managing the ecosystem.

What is Method 1-pps?

Method 1-pps is a non-toxic treatment for the control of spider mites, aphids, whitefly, mealy bugs, and other common plant pests. It is easy on your plants and they respond positively to its tonic effect. It is an ideal tool to use in IPM.

Biological Control

Biological control is the use of natural enemies, including predators, parasites, pathogens, and competitors to control pests and their damages. There are many natural enemies. By gaining some degree of knowledge about a particular pest or disease, you can determine which biological control to use. We will address this more in future articles.

Cultural Controls

Cultural controls are practices that reduce pest establishment, reproduction, dispersal, and survival. For example, not over-watering will reduce root pests and disease.

Mechanical and Physical Controls

Mechanical and physical controls kill or control pests directly or make the environment unsuitable for the pest. Traps, mulches, screens, soil sterilization, and barriers are examples of this type of control.

Chemical Controls

Chemical control is the use of pesticides. With IPM, you use the most selective pesticide that will achieve your goal in a way that is the least harmful to humans and the environment.

How Method 1-pps is Used in IPM

Method 1-pps fits into the cultural control and chemical controls categories with a major exception. Method 1-pps is an alternative to using chemicals and eliminates the need for dangerous chemical compounds to control appropriate pests. As a cultural control it should be incorporated into scheduled practices of your growing process. It addresses the human safety and environmental concerns, because it is non-toxic, plant and environment friendly, while effective against a variety of pests.

Assessing Your Situation

Knowledge of your geographical area and what the common pests are for the specific plant in question is a great tool for assessment. See what you can learn. Some pests are virtually ubiquitous and some are local. What species of pests are most common?

Pest identification by visual inspection is a good first step in deciding what treatment or preventive regime to follow.

Monitoring and assessing degree of infestation and damage will help determine first steps in the process and help develop a plan.

Are you growing indoors or outdoors? There are a few different considerations for growing indoors as opposed to growing outdoors. For instance, when growing outdoors you should put more weight on consideration of beneficial insects before starting a treatment program, whereas there are fewer beneficial insects to be concerned about when growing indoors.

The value of your plants is also a consideration when formulating a plan for IPM.

Once you have evaluated the current situation, you are at the starting point of your IPM plan. What is your goal? Here is a good general goal: Control any pests or disease in a way that minimizes harm to your plants, in a way that is of minimal harm to humans or the environment. Notice I did not say eradicate or eliminate. While those are ideal outcomes, do not violate the principle of minimizing the negatives of using dangerous or harmful chemicals. Most of the time there is an acceptable level of pest presence that does not adversely affect the plant. So if you can achieve that without using a harmful substance, you have been successful.

Consider all four of the IPM controls and decide which of them you can improve on in your pest and disease control activities as well as the grow space itself. From there make a plan that includes prevention, scheduled activities, and safe methods and materials.

When using Method 1-pps use these plans which were developed to treat spider mites. With other pests the schedule may need to be tweaked a little. Keep in mind that the goal is to disrupt the life cycle of the pest in a way that prevents successful reproduction, therefore reducing population. Knowledge of the pest life cycle is the key to developing an effective schedule.

Treating a Bad Infestation

Mix 8 ounces of Method 1-pps with water to make 1 gallon of spray and apply with maximum coverage until it is dripping from the plant. Apply to top and bottom of leaves.

Follow-up in three days with a mixture of 4 ounces of Method 1-pps per gallon and repeat until the pest is undetectable.

Then revert to a preventive schedule spraying a mixture of 2 ounces per gallon applied once every seven days

Treating a Minor Infestation

Sometimes you find an infestation in a cluster among your plants. Spot treat the cluster every three days with a 4 ounce per gallon mixture for four applications then revert to the preventive on all of the plants with a 2 ounce per gallon mixture.

Preventive Treatment

Let’s say you find no current pest problem. Then from a very early stage treat your plants with a 2 ounce per gallon mixture every seventh day. Why treat if there is no problem? Using mites as an example, the reasoning is as follows: Spider mites are extremely hard to see. Broad mites are even harder. It is difficult to examine every square inch of the bottom and top of the leaves to determine if any are present. Their populations can explode very quickly and significant damage can occur before you realize the problem exists. By treating in a proactive manner, you have a much greater chance of cutting off the problem before it is out of control or causes damage.

Alternatively, you could use biological controls in the final stages of these methods if you are concerned about flowers or taste issues.