Scouting Basics for Effective IPM in High Tunnel Vegetables

By Blake Jackson

Scouting is an essential tool for identifying pest presence, guiding management decisions, and evaluating the effectiveness of control measures in high tunnel vegetable production.

Developing a consistent scouting plan tailored to a grower’s operation is the foundation of effective integrated pest management (IPM).

A strong plan combines methods such as sticky cards, routine plant inspections, and plant-mediated IPM strategies to monitor both insect pests and their natural enemies.

Because many insect pests are small or hidden, visible plant damage is often the earliest indicator of a problem. Knowing what healthy plant growth looks like makes it easier to recognize abnormalities.

For example, cupped or distorted leaves commonly signal aphid feeding. When damage is observed, inspecting likely feeding sites such as the undersides of leaves can help pinpoint the pest responsible.

Accurate identification of pests and beneficial insects at all life stages is critical. Adults may look very different from immature stages, and recognizing eggs allows for early intervention. Natural enemies also vary in how they function: some attack pests as larvae, others as adults, and some at both stages. Understanding these differences improves decision-making.

Keeping detailed records is strongly recommended. Simple scouting forms should track dates, crops, pests, natural enemies, plant damage, and treatments used.

These records help identify patterns, assess treatment success, and establish action thresholds the pest level that triggers management. Thresholds often differ depending on whether biological controls or insecticides are used.

Scouting frequency depends on labor availability and crop stage. Weekly monitoring is a good starting point, with more frequent checks during transplanting or early growth. Later in the season, scouting may shift to every other week, though plants should be observed whenever they are handled.

Effective scouting tools include a 10X hand lens, sticky cards, flags, collection containers, and a camera. Sticky cards help detect flying insects but should be used alongside plant inspections to catch pests before infestations become severe.

By combining regular monitoring, accurate identification, and good recordkeeping, growers can manage pests more effectively while supporting beneficial insect populations.

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