Insects Don't Tell Time

As we head in the latter part of May, the temperatures are finally warming up throughout Montgomery County, PA.  While we had a very cool March this year, average temperature are finally back to normal, however, don’t tell the insects that attack your trees and shrubs.

Neither insects nor plants have a calendar posted in their kitchen telling them when it’s time to emerge.  That’s why our sister company, Parkside Tree & Shrub Care, uses Growing Degree Days (GDD) to time our insect and disease application in the landscape.  Growing Degree-Days (GDD) takes into account the average daily temperature by calculating the number of heat units received. Thus, this system can he more accurate than the calendar method for estimating insect development and timing management strategies.

Several mathematical equations, such as the Average, Triangulation, and Sine, can be used for calculating GDD based on minimum and maximum temperature.   In towns from Elkins Park to Hatboro, we use a base temperature of 50°F.  For each day that the average temperature is one degree above the base temperature, one degree-day accumulates. 

 

A healthy landscape requires properly timed applications based upon Growing Degree Days.

Depending on the species, the base temperature can vary. Cool weather organisms will have lower base temperatures while other types of organisms will have higher ones.  This allows our tree and shrub applications to effectively control insects and diseases throughout the year.  For more information about how Growing Degree Days work or information about Parkside Tree & Shrub Care’s program,  contact our office.