One of the main goals of pesticide reform is to reduce and eliminate pesticide use. There are many different ideas on how best to accomplish this. Many people support an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) framework that gives multiple opportunities to find ways to reduce pesticide use.
What is IPM?
“Integrated pest management services is an ecosystem-based strategy that focuses on long-term prevention of pests or their damage through a combination of techniques such as biological control, habitat manipulation, modification of cultural practices, and use of resistant varieties. Pesticides are used only after monitoring indicates they are needed according to established guidelines, and treatments are made with the goal of removing only the target organism. Pest control materials are selected and applied in a manner that minimizes risks to human health, beneficial and non-target organisms, and the environment.”
Steps of IPM :
1: Identify the Pest :
This often-overlooked step is important. Most species of living things are NOT pests, but are contributing members of the broader ecosystem. By taking the time to ensure that a suspected pest is an actual pest, you can eliminate a lot of unnecessary pest control efforts.
2: Monitor Pest Activity :
By monitoring pest populations over time, you can determine if there are sufficient numbers of pests present to be concerned about potential damage. Pest populations are dynamic and go up and down in response to many factors. Sometimes a stray pest shows up and passes through, doing no harm. Pest populations may decline due to natural forces. Nature is complicated, and you don’t really know what is happening unless you look. Monitoring ensures that unnecessary treatments are avoided.
3: Determine Action Thresholds :
An action threshold is a point at which further damage is considered intolerable and some kind of pest control action needs to take place. Action thresholds can be determined according to different criteria—economical, legislative, medical, and even psychological. Many sophisticated models exist that can help determine the point at which economic damage becomes unacceptable.
