Tools for scouting, Michigan trees, shrubs

IPM Scouting in Woody Landscape Plants

Diagnostic Services
Soil/Plant Nutrient Lab
Ag weather
Regional IPM Center
Pesticide safety
Organic: New Ag Network
Invasive species
Sustainable ag & food systems

Tools for scouting

Hand lens-10x or 15x -To use a hand lens, place the lens directly in front of your eye and bring the sample you are examining towards the lens until the object comes into focus.
Knife - good for cutting into stems or root tissue.
Pruning shears- for taking samples – disinfest blades between samples to avoid spreading disease.
A soil sampling tube, spade and/or trowel to sample soil or examine roots
Plastic bags for samples/indelible marker- individually marking bags with information as the samples are collected makes it easier to keep information straight about what pests were found in particular locations
Notebook or clipboard with record-keeping sheets. Plastic sheet protectors can be used to protect records and maps. Maps can also be laminated to prolong their useful life.

This information was developed from A Pocket IPM Scouting Guide for Woody Landscape Plants by Diane Brown-Rytlewski. Purchase this in a pocket-sized guide for reference in the orchard from MSU Extension (publication E-2839).

The MSU IPM Program maintains this site as an access point to pest management information at MSU. The IPM Program is administered within the Department of Entomology, fueled by research from the Michigan Agricultural Experiment Station, delivered to citizens through MSU Extension, and proud to be a part of Project GREEEN.
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Updated 7/24/07