IPM is an approach to solving pest problems by applying our knowledge about pests to prevent them from damaging crops, harming animals, infesting buildings or otherwise interfering with our livelihood or enjoyment of life. IPM means responding to pest problems with the most effective, least-risk option.
Under IPM, actions are taken to control pests only when their numbers are likely to exceed acceptable levels. Any action taken is designed to target the troublesome pest, and limit the impact on other organisms and the environment.
Applying pesticides to crops, animals, buildings or landscapes on a routine basis, regardless of need, is not IPM. Applications of pesticides are always the last resort in an IPM program.
"IPM Year" graphic and text courtesy of Cornell University.
Soil Preparation: Growers give their plants a head start on pest problems by choosing the proper site, testing the soil, rotating crops, creating raised beds where necessary, and providing sufficient organic matter.
Planting: Growers plant crops that tolerate common problems, altering planting time and spacing to discourage certain diseases and insects.
Forecasting: Weather data is consulted to predict if and when pest outbreaks will occur. Treatments can then be properly timed, preventing crop damage and saving sprays.
Pest Trapping: Traps that are attractive to insects are used so that growers can pinpoint when the pest has arrived and decide whether control is justified.
Monitoring: Growers inspect representative areas of the fields regularly to determine whether pests are approaching a damaging level.
Thresholds: Before treating, growers wait until pest populations reach a scientifically determined level that could cause economic damage. Until that threshold is reached, the cost of yield and quality loss will be less than the cost for control.
Cultural Controls: The pest's environment it then disrupted by turning under crop residues, sterilizing greenhouse tools, and harvesting early.
Biological Controls: It is necessary for growers to conserve the many beneficial natural enemies already at work. They import and use additional biologicals where effective.
Chemical Controls: Growers select the most effective and appropriate pesticide and properly calibrate sprayers. They then verify that weather conditions will permit good coverage without undue drift.
Recordkeeping: Records of pest traps, weather and treatment are kept for use in pest management decisions.
Anyone who deals with pest problems can use IPM. Farmers, buildings and grounds maintenance personnel, professional pest control operators, and home dwellers can learn how to apply least-risk solutions to prevent pest trouble or respond to problems when they arise.
The greatest risks are those to humans who are exposed to toxic concentrations of pesticides. According to the World Health Organization, more than 3 million people are severely sickened and 220,000 die from pesticides each year worldwide. In the U.S. alone, 110,000 people are poisoned by pesticides annually. These are "acute" poisonings, with symptoms occurring shortly after exposure, and do not include other long-term effects which may include cancer, birth defects or other disorders.
As many as 60 million to 70 million birds are killed each year in the US from pesticide poisonings. Fish and other wildlife are also at risk from pesticide misuse and accidents. Both wild bees and honey bees are essential for pollination of many crops, and many are lost to pesticide exposure. More than one-third of calls to animal poison centers result from pesticide exposure to pets.
Pests can also become resistant to pesticides, increasing control costs, crop losses or other pest damage. Many natural enemies of pests are killed by pesticides, freeing pests from these natural controls.
Pesticides are powerful medicines for pest problems. It’s not smart, effective or affordable to take medicines when you‘re not sick. Eating right and staying fit is great, low risk medicine for your health. Using IPM to prevent pest problems is the best solution for a healthy environment for everyone.
Most pesticide problems are caused by a small number of the pesticides available today. Many low risk pesticides are available, and more are being developed each year from both naturally occurring and synthetic materials. However, pesticide use without regard to need or risk is always a poor choice, and rarely solves pest problems.
IPM reduces risk by reducing overall pesticide use, using least risk pesticides when there is a demonstrated need, and taking special protective measures to reduce pesticide contact with living organisms and the environment.
IPM allows the use of pesticides, fertilizers and other materials made from synthetic materials when necessary. Organic programs restrict pesticides to those made from natural materials. Pesticides used in organic programs can also have harmful effects on humans, animals and the environment, and must be used carefully and only when needed. IPM strategies can also help organic programs reduce risks.
The IPM Institute provides rigorous, science-based standards that pesticide users must meet. The IPM Institute offers certification only to those who can clearly demonstrate they have followed its standards. Compliance is verified by IPM professionals, trained and approved by the Institute, who visit those applying for certification, and submit a report to the Institute along with the applicant's documentation.
Certification can be a powerful tool to demonstrate to customers, neighbors and peers in your profession that your pest management practices meet the highest standards for reduced risk and effectiveness.
Pest control operators, farmers, buildings and grounds managers, wildlife management specialists, crop consultants and others can become Certified IPM Practitioners, or can qualify their products or services for IPM Institute Certification.
To find out if you or your organization, products or services are eligible for certification, contact the IPM Institute. Anyone can join the Institute and support its efforts to reduce pesticide risks.
The content of this page is from the IPM Institute website. For more information please visit their site at www.ipminstitute.org
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