Integrated pest management or IPM for short is an environmentally sensitive approach to managing pests and diseases in the garden. It is the perfected choice when pest control is needed. Rather than going out and spraying every time pest or disease is found IPM focuses on different control methods based on a more ecologically friendly approach.

Using pest management services in wa requires some understanding of biological factors like pest and disease as well as nonbiological factors like weather, soil condition, nutrients, and light. The idea is that by managing the growing conditions you can eliminate some of the biological problems. One of the big premises of IPM is that you need to be willing to accept a certain amount of loss and small infestations instead of trying to control all manner of life in your garden.

There are four main parts to a successful integrated pest management program it is not a single action but a group of actions that determine the need for control. They may be described as follows.

Set An Action Threshold

When a single pest is discovered it is not time to panic and take action. A point is established at what constitutes the right time to take action. What will start to cause economic harm to the crop? Also to be taken into consideration is the condition caused by weather conditions or some other outside influence before any action will be considered.

Monitor And Identify Pests

Before any action can be taken you need to properly identify the pest that is creating the problem. This is accomplished by scouting which is to go and look at the plants and then properly identify the pests. Not all weeds, insects, or organisms are harmful. Be sure that the problem is properly identified so that the wrong insecticide is not used. Also, this may even determine whether a pesticide is even needed.

Prevention

The first line of defense should always be prevention. Planting disease resident varieties, ensuring proper cultivation, monitoring water and nutrients will help to prevent problems from arising.

Control

The final step is control once you have reached the point where monitoring and prevention no longer work you have reached the action threshold. It is time to evaluate and see what the most effective method posing the least amount of risk is. Generally, this could be manual removal or biological like the use of pheromones to disrupt pest mating. If further monitoring, identification, and action thresholds indicate the less risky controls are not working then additional pest controls would be used.

While all pesticide use is not eliminated by practicing IPM it is certainly reduced considerably. By having a better understanding of your plant's needs and how growing conditions can affect it you are helping reduce the amounts of unneeded pesticide in the environment.

The Integrated Pest Management Plan - Ensuring the Safety of the Environment and Your Own

In today's rapidly changing world, simple pest control programs are proving to be inadequate. An integrated pest management plan is deemed by many as necessary not only to ensure effectiveness in controlling pests but the ability to remain effective while staying ecologically sound.

This type of approach makes use of common-sense practices and rational decision-making. Completely eradicating pests is nearly impossible, thus controlling their population and their effects on humans, animals, and livelihoods is a more practical goal. One important tenet of this system is reducing the use of conventional pesticides − which can have negative economic and ecological ramifications − and using alternatives such as biological or natural ones instead.

The processes for carrying out this program vary; however there are some steps common to the different styles. Prevention is often regarded as a frontline in pest control, as early detection and treatment will prevent infestations from spinning out of control and reaching alarming proportions. Thus, maintaining the cleanliness of the premises is a top priority.

Choosing the appropriate action or combination of actions is also important, as different methods target different types of pests and can have varied effects on the surroundings. Evaluating the results is also necessary to determine if the desired effect was achieved, if there were unwanted outcomes, and how the method can be improved in the future, among others.

An integrated pest management plan is more often used in agriculture but can be applied at home or in commercial areas. Despite variations in methods, the goal is the same: to control pests more efficiently while being environmentally responsible.