Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
A layered strategy combining scouting, cultural, biological and chemical tactics.
IPM is a decision framework, not a product — it asks what the pest is, what the economic threshold is, and what the least disruptive intervention is that keeps damage below that threshold. Farms that adopt it typically cut pesticide use 30–50% within two seasons.
Step-by-step protocol
- Scout weekly; keep a pest and beneficial-insect log.
- Prefer cultural and biological controls; escalate to chemicals only above threshold.
- Rotate insecticide modes of action (IRAC groups) to prevent resistance.
- Preserve refugia and flowering strips for natural enemies.
Frequently asked questions
Does IPM mean avoiding pesticides entirely?
No — IPM uses pesticides as one tool among several, applied only above an economic threshold, rather than eliminating them or spraying on a fixed calendar regardless of pest pressure.
How much can IPM reduce pesticide costs?
Farms that adopt IPM typically cut pesticide use by 30–50% within two seasons while maintaining or improving yield, since spraying is targeted rather than routine.
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