Pest Management (IPM)

Integrated Pest Management is a strategic plan that uses a variety of techniques, either alone or together, to prevent and manage pests.

There are 4 methods by which we can attempt to accomplish this.

1. Cultural- some of these are: rotating crops, proper spacing and location of plants, watering plants early in the day and giving them the needed amount, applying fertilizers correctly and at proper times of the plants growth, and by choosing resistance varieties and cultivars.
2. Physical- hosing off insects with forceful stream of water, picking off insects by hand, pruning dead and diseased plant parts, cleaning up leaf litter (especially if you suspect any diseases in it).
3. Biological – encouraging natural predators such as birds and ladybeetles.
4. Chemical- use only as a last resort. Use the correct chemical, apply it correctly and only to areas where needed. If repeated treatments are necessary, rotate the chemical with one that has a different mode of action, to reduce resistance. Eg.- how it affects the plant or insect.

By routinely inspecting your plants, you can often detect problems early, before the plant becomes stressed. (A stressed plant, such as one that is over/under watered or not in its favorable environment, is an easy target for more severe problems.)  You can use the first three options before things become serious enough to resort to chemicals. It takes a little research to identify the plants you have, the problems that are associated with those plants, and to identify the signs and symptoms of invasion; but it is a lot better to prevent the problem than to implement the cure. Your plants and the environment will appreciate
Photo of aphids:utahpests.usu.edu.