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 Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
is an effective and environmentally sensitive approach to
pest management that relies on a combination of common-sense
practices. Integrated pest management programs use current,
comprehensive information on the life cycles of pests and
their interaction with the environment. This information, in
combination with available pest control methods, is used to
manage pest damage by the most economical means, and with
the least possible hazard to people, property, and the
environment.
The IPM approach can be applied to both agricultural and
non-agricultural settings, such as the home, garden, and
workplace. IPM takes advantage of all appropriate pest
management options including, but not limited to, the
judicious
 use of pesticides.
How do IPM programs work?
IPM is not a single pest control method but, rather, a
series of pest management evaluations, decisions and
controls. In practicing IPM, growers who are aware of the
potential for pest infestation follow a four-tiered
approach. The four steps include:
- Set Action Thresholds
Before taking any pest control action, IPM first sets an
action threshold, a point at which pest populations or
environmental conditions indicate that pest control
action must be taken. Sighting a single pest does not
always mean control is needed. The level at which pests
will either become an economic threat is critical to
guide future pest control decisions.
- Monitor and Identify Pests
Not all insects, weeds, and other living organisms
require control. Many organisms are innocuous, and some
are even beneficial. IPM programs work to monitor for
pests and identify them accurately, so that appropriate
control decisions can be made in conjunction with action
thresholds. This monitoring and identification removes
the possibility that pesticides will be used when they
are not really needed or that the wrong kind of
pesticide will be used.
- Prevention
As a first line of pest control, IPM programs work to
manage the crop, lawn, or indoor space to prevent pests
from becoming a threat. In an agricultural crop, this
may mean using cultural methods, such as rotating
between different crops, selecting pest-resistant
varieties, and planting pest-free rootstock. These
control methods can be very effective and cost-efficient
and present little to no risk to people or the
environment.
- Control
Once monitoring, identification, and action thresholds
indicate that pest control is required, and preventive
methods are no longer effective or available, IPM
programs then evaluate the proper control method both
for effectiveness and risk. Effective, less risky pest
controls are chosen first, including highly targeted
chemicals, such as pheromones to disrupt pest mating, or
mechanical control, such as trapping or weeding. If
further monitoring, identifications and action
thresholds indicate that less risky controls are not
working, then additional pest control methods would be
employed, such as targeted spraying of pesticides.
Broadcast spraying of non-specific pesticides is a last
resort.
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