Integrated Pest Management or IPM is a pest management approach that makes use of simple yet effective and environmentally sensitive methods to deal with pests.
As its name suggests, it is not a single pest-control solution.
Instead, it is an approach that encompasses decisions, evaluations and controls that can be used to successfully manage and prevent infestations.
IPM principles can be utilized in both the agricultural and non-agricultural settings, including homes, offices and gardens.
IPM is an entire system, and as such, is more than a reactionary measure initiated in response to an infestation.
It can be initiated right at the start to reduce or eliminate the likelihood of such an outbreak from ever taking place.
IPM encompasses four steps: First, IPM practitioners set action thresholds.
Before any action to control pests is taken, they first decide on the point at which the number of pests makes it necessary to take action, in order not to waste resources.
Second, research is done to properly monitor and identify potential pests in the area in order to ensure that only the pests themselves will be affected should the time come for actual pest control.
Third, IPM practitioners enact preventive measures aimed at prohibiting these identified pests from becoming a threat.
These measures can include the selection of plants that are resistant to these pests, which can serve to eliminate potential breeding areas.
The fourth and last step in Integrated Pest Management is actual control, resorted to when preventive measures have failed to work.
Less risky control methods such as the physical removal of pests are selected first, and riskier methods such as the use of pesticides are seen as the last resort.