Mastering Integrated Pest Management (IPM)

Integrated Pest Management (IPM)

• Another name for IPM is Integrated Pest Control (IPC)

Goals and Definition of IPM

• The main goal of IPM is to minimize the use of chemical pesticides and mitigate their negative environmental impacts
• According to the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization, IPM is defined as "a careful consideration of all available pest control techniques and subsequent integration of appropriate measures that discourage the development of pest populations and reduce or minimize risks to people and the environment"

Advocacy for IPM

• Entomologists and ecologists have advocated for IPM since the 1970s due to growing concerns about the environmental and health effects of chemical pesticides

IPM Applications

• IPM can be used to manage the introduction and spread of invasive species
• IPM is not limited to pest control, it can also be used for other purposes

Characteristics of IPM

• IPM is an approach that combines physical, cultural, biological, and chemical controls to manage pests
• The primary goal of IPM is to minimize the use of chemical pesticides and mitigate their negative environmental impacts
• IPM is considered a safer pest control option due to its multi-faceted approach that reduces reliance on chemical pesticides