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| OHCC LIVING | OCTOBER 2019 | 7 Landscape Committee What is Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and how is it being addressed in OHCC? IPM in OHCC is an ongoing landscape and environmental program that has been actively evolving for a number of years. In February 2014, the Landscape Committee undertook its first investigation into IPM at the direction of the Master Board. The Landscape Committee aligned its IPM investigation with that of the University of California, along with the current IPM practices of two other master landscape companies and O'Connell Landscape. Briefly, IPM can be defined as: A coordinated system of technological and management practices to control pests in a safe, environmentally sound and economical manner. While every IPM program is different, five major components are common to all: 1. Pest Identification 2. Monitoring and assessing pest numbers and damage 3. Guidelines for when management action is needed 4. Preventing pest problems 5. Using a combination of biological, cultural, physical/mechanical and chemical management tools. This past year the Landscape Committee began a high-level review of the OHCC IPM program since the 2014 in-depth report to obtain an update. As the City of Oceanside process and review of IPM is underway, OHCC is moving forward to assess areas that are constantly evolving. Here are some highlights from that update that show the progress in some significant areas: 1. Greater use of pre-emergent (preventive) rather than post- emergent (reactionary) approaches: • Reduction in use of chemicals, both organic and synthetic. Example: Maureen Huitt recently reported a 66% reduction in the use of pesticides on the golf course. • No use of glyphosate (i.e., Round Up or Ranger Pro) for approximately three years. • Use of Glufosinate-ammonium (i.e., Lifeline, a synthetic). This is often confused with the ingredient in Round Up, but it is a very different product. • Changes in products and methods of application. Granular products, such as Barricade are mixed with fertilizer to help reduce broad-cast spraying by applying to specific locations and plants. 2. Increased use of biological materials/mechanical and physical approaches: • Compost Tea, an extract derived from composted plant or worm castings, reducing fungicide use. "Tea" is produced onsite in OHCC by O'Connell and has improved areas on the golf course and other focused areas in the community. • Increase use of mulch, i.e., plant-based approach for nutrients, reducing evaporation and as a barrier to weeds. • Improved water management, deeper watering for root systems; reduced frequency of watering, not watering daily, but watering for longer periods a few times a week, has improved plants and turf. • Reduction of broad-based spraying (wind adverse) to identified focused area spraying; resulting in reduction in costs since 2014, especially on the golf course. Fertilizers with lower nitrogen content as well as slow release and more organic fertilizers are also helping to control plant growth and water needs. 3. Cultural controls: • Notices are provided for all residents to inform use of materials, especially spraying, in response to legal requirements and homeowner's requests. Notices are posted on the Clubhouse bulletin board and on the OHCC website. • More education/information is planned to help OHCC homeowners to have facts, not just unfounded rumors or what may seem to be quick fixes. Major misunderstandings come from the lack of information; more information will continue to be needed and used. Watch this space for updates and continued information on mechanical, physical and biological IPM approaches. The OHCC Living requires all committees, clubs and groups to submit their article no later than 12 noon on the 6th of each month. MAXIMUM ARTICLE LENGTH IS 400 WORDS AND MAXIMUM NUMBER OF PHOTOS PER CLUB/GROUP IS THREE. Please submit all articles and high resolutions photos to Lisa Wise at lwise@keystonepacific.com. Photos that are not high-res (300 dpi, 5 MB or higher) will not be printed. Thank you for your help! If you have any questions for our publisher, Image Up, you can call their office at (909) 797-3647 and they will be happy to assist. ATTENTION ALL CLUBS & GROUPS

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