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Integrated Pest Management

Integrated pest management (IPM) is a way of controlling pests using natural means where possible rather than relying on chemical solutions. Such natural means could include natural predators, and pest-resistant plants. The goal is to reduce the harm that pesticides have on the environment and, in the case of food, make food safer to consume.

How IPM Works

Several techniques are used in IPM. These include:

• the use of beneficial plants
• the use of beneficial insects
• crop rotation
• using disease free planting materials
• intercropping (for example, planting tomatoes and marigolds together in order to control nematodes that may otherwise attack tomatoes)
• using physical means of pest control (e.g. using saucers of beer to trap slugs)

Essentially, the techniques used in IPM can be broken into four basic techniques. The techniques are:

1. Physical control – this is done to change the environmental factors that may be attracting pests. As outlined above, this can be done through means such as physical traps or barriers or through crop rotation.
2. Biological control – any given pest has its own natural predators, pathogens (disease causing agents) and parasites. By introducing these natural enemies, the levels of the pest should be significantly reduced. Levels of the natural enemies can also be encouraged by limiting the use of chemicals as often the “good” pests are killed along with the bad ones.
3. Genetic modification – plants can be modified to become resistant to pests, however, this is more applicable on a commercial scale than on a domestic one. On a domestic scale, such modification may include choosing a strain of plant that is known to be suited to a particular area.
4. Chemical control – in some cases, the use of chemicals and pesticides may be necessary in the garden. However, it is the way in which these chemicals are used that makes a difference. Chemicals and pesticides should be applied when the pest is the most vulnerable so that minimum amounts can be used with maximum efficiency.

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