Lawn Care/Maintenance/Pest Management

Integrated Pest Management

What is IPM?
How do IPM programs work?
State and Local IPM Programs

What is IPM?

Pesticide
Topical application lf pesticides can be as
effective as large spraying

IPM or Integrated Pest Management is essentially common-sense pest control using carefully managed pest control tactics. IPM is designed to get the best long-term results with the least disruption of the environment.

IPM is an effective and environmentally sensitive approach to pest management that relies on a combination of common sense practices. IPM programs use current, comprehensive information on the life cycles of pests and their interaction with the environment. This information, in combination with available pest control methods, is used to manage pest damage by the most economical means, and with the least possible hazard to people, property, and the environment.

The IPM approach can be applied to both lawn and garden settings. IPM takes advantage of all appropriate pest management options including, but not limited to, the judicious use of pesticides.

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How do IPM programs work?

IPMIPM is not a single pest control method but, rather, a series of pest management evaluations, decisions and controls. In practicing IPM, growers who are aware of the potential for pest infestation follow a four-tiered approach. The four steps include:


  1. Set Action Thresholds: Before taking any pest control action, IPM first sets an action threshold, a point at which pest populations or environmental conditions indicate that pest control action must be taken. Sighting a single pest does not always mean control is needed. The level at which pests will either become an economic threat is critical to guide future pest control decisions.

  2. Practice IPM
    • Monitor and Assess
    • Cultural Controls First
    • Least Toxic Chemicals
    • Follow Directions Carefully
    • Spot Treat rather than Broadcast
    Monitor and Identify Pests: Not all insects, weeds, and other living organisms require control. Many organisms are innocuous, and some are even beneficial. IPM programs work to monitor for pests and identify them accurately, so that appropriate control decisions can be made in conjunction with action thresholds. This monitoring and identification removes the possibility that pesticides will be used when they are not really needed or that the wrong kind of pesticide will be used.

  3. Prevention: As a first line of pest control, IPM programs work to manage the lawn or garden space to prevent pests from becoming a threat. One of the best prevention methods against pests is a thick lawn.

  4. Control: Once monitoring, identification, and action thresholds indicate that pest control is required, and preventive methods are no longer effective or available, IPM programs then evaluate the proper control method both for effectiveness and risk. Effective, less risky pest controls are chosen first, including highly targeted chemicals, such as pheromones to disrupt pest mating, or mechanical control, such as trapping or weeding. If further monitoring, identifications and action thresholds indicate that less risky controls are not working, then additional pest control methods would be employed, such as targeted spraying of pesticides. Broadcast spraying of non-specific pesticides is a last resort.

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State and Local IPM Programs

For a more thorough and site-specific discussion of Integrated Pest Management in your State, see the following list of website:

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