What you need to know about Integrated Pest Management

What is IPM?

Integrated Pest Management is a holistic, long-term approach to pest control. It starts by evaluating the nature of the pest problem and addresses it by biological, cultural and mechanical measures. Chemicals are a last resort.

“IPM does NOT mean never using pesticides,” Ellis says. “It simply takes preventative action so that if and when pesticides are needed, they are highly targeted and more effective.”

IPM calls for a dedicated effort and a fair amount of research, but the reward is a cleaner, healthier environment. Here are the five strategies of the IPM approach.