What is Integrated Pest Management (IPM)?
EDITOR'S NOTE: Integrated Pest Management or IPM is a much used term in discussing the managemnt of weeds, bugs and other pests in agriculture, cosmetic landscape management etc. It is worthy of note that IPM can mean many different things to as many different people. The following article is designed to clear up the confusion.
What is Integrated Pest Management (IPM)?
(Courtesy Mike Christie & Beyond Pesticides - http://www.beyondpesticides.org/)
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is a program of prevention,
monitoring, and control which offers the opportunity to eliminate or
drastically reduce the use of pesticides, and to minimize the
toxicity of and exposure to any products which are used. IPM does
this by utilizing a variety of methods and techniques, including
cultural, biological and structural strategies to control a multitude
of pest problems.
IPM is a term that is used loosely with many different definitions
and methods of implementation. IPM can mean virtually anything the
practitioner wants it to mean. Beware of chemical dependent programs
masquerading as IPM.
Those who argue that IPM requires the ability to spray pesticides
immediately after identifying a pest problem are not describing IPM.
Conventional pest control tends to ignore the causes of pest
infestations and instead rely on routine, scheduled pesticide
applications. Pesticides are often temporary fixes, ineffective over
the long term.
Non-toxic and least toxic control products are a major growth area
and new materials and devices are increasingly available in the
marketplace.
The Six IPM Program Essentials
Monitoring. This includes regular site inspections and trapping to
determine the types and infestation levels of pests at each site.
Record-Keeping. A record-keeping system is essential to establish
trends and patterns in pest outbreaks. Information recorded at every
inspection or treatment should include pest identification,
population size, distribution, recommendations for future prevention,
and complete information on the treatment action.
Action Levels. Pests are virtually never eradicated. An action level
is the population size which requires remedial action for human
health, economic, or aesthetic reasons.
Prevention. Preventive measures must be incorporated into the
existing structures and designs for new structures. Prevention is and
should be the primary means of pest control in an IPM program.
Tactics Criteria. Under IPM, chemicals should be used only as a last
resort only, but when used, the least-toxic materials should be
chosen, and applied to minimize exposure to humans and all non-target
organisms.
Evaluation. A regular evaluation program is essential to determine
the success of the pest management strategies.
Integrated Pest Management
(as defined by Beyond Pesticides/NCAMP)
IPM is a managed pest management system that:
- eliminates or mitigates economic and health damage caused by pests;
- minimizes the use of pesticides and the risk to human health and
the environment associated with pesticide applications; and,
- uses integrated methods, site or pest inspections, pest
population monitoring, an evaluation of the need for pest control,
and one or more pest control methods, including sanitation,
structural repairs, mechanical and living biological controls, other
non-chemical methods, and, if nontoxic options are unreasonable and
have been exhausted, least toxic pesticides.
Least Toxic Pesticides
(as defined by Beyond Pesticides/NCAMP)
Least toxic pesticides include:
- boric acid and disodium octobrate tetrahydrate,
- silica gels,
- diatomaceous earth,
- nonvolatile insect and rodent baits in tamper resistant
containers or for crack and crevice treatment only,
- microbe-based pesticides,
- pesticides made with essential oils (not including pyrethrums)
without toxic synergists; and,
- materials for which the inert ingredients are nontoxic and disclosed.
The term 'least toxic pesticides' does not include a pesticide that is
- determined by EPA to be a possible, probable, or known
carcinogen, mutagen, teratogen, reproductive toxin, developmental
neurotoxin, endocrine disruptor, or immune system toxin;
- a pesticide in EPA's toxicity category I or II; and,
- any application of the pesticide using a broadcast spray, dust,
tenting, fogging, or baseboard spray application. ..
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