In this section:
Integrated Pest Management
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is a term that has many definitions and was originally applied to management of insect pests only, but now refers to all agricultural pests: diseases, weeds, invertebrate (e.g. insects & mites) and vertebrate (e.g. birds, mice, bats) pests.
IPM management strategies use a range of tools and control techniques to manage pests so that their population numbers are kept below the point where they are causing unacceptable loss in marketable yield. IPM considers the production system as a whole by looking at all aspects from site preparation, to habitats for beneficial organisms, to seedling variety and source and disposal of old crops where modification of management practices can reduce pest populations. The aim is to reduce reliance on insecticides and thus the risk of control failure due to increasingly common incidences of pesticide resistance. This also has the added benefit of reducing pesticide residues on workers, produce and in the environment.
Growers Practicing Integrated Pest Management use approaches that range from “Integrated Pesticide Management” to “Biointensive” IPM. Integrated Pesticide Management involves routine crop monitoring, appropriate timing of pesticide applications, attention to good spray application technique and following pesticide resistance management strategies. A Biointensive IPM strategy relies primarily on beneficial organisms to manage pests and when greater pest control is needed interventions chosen are complementary to the survival of beneficials.
Find out more:
Resources and Information
Sustainable Farming Extension Officer, Tony Burfield
- Expert help for pest and disease control & soil health
