What is Integrated Pest Management (IPM)?

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is best understood as a comprehensive strategy that integrates multiple control methods to effectively manage pest populations while minimizing environmental, economic, and health impacts. This approach is not solely dependent on chemical control, as it emphasizes the use of various tactics—such as biological control, cultural practices, habitat manipulation, and mechanical methods—to manage pests in a sustainable way.

By incorporating a variety of control methods, IPM looks at the broader ecosystem and focuses on long-term prevention, which allows for a more balanced approach to pest management. This common-sense strategy ensures that while pest populations are being reduced, the impact on beneficial organisms and the environment is also taken into account, making it a preferred choice in modern agricultural and pest control practices.