Use Integrated Pest Management to Control Pests and Reduce Pesticide Risks

Integrated pest management (IPM) is a way to control pests that emphasizes plant health, sanitation, biological control, and other nonchemical methods. Pesticides are often part of IPM, but they are used as little as possible. If pesticides are necessary, they are selected and used to minimize human and environmental risks.

IPM Basics

Healthy plants - the right plant in the right place
Sanitation and maintenance
  • Do not provide food, water, or shelter for pests
  • Seal cracks and repair leaks promptly
  • Remove spent, diseased, or infested plant material
Scout regularly
  • Catch problems early
  • Identify natural controls (e.g., beneficial insects)
Nonchemical options
  • Cultural controls - planting date, host plant resistance
  • Mechanical/physical controls - tillage, hoeing, mulching, screens
  • Biological controls
Chemical options
  • Use pesticides sparingly
  • Protect beneficial species
  • FOLLOW the pesticide label

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Entomology Special Programs .::. Brown Recluse Spider ID Project .::. UGA Honey Bee Program .::. Bugwood Network of Web Sites .::. Urban Pest Management at Griffin .::. Georgia Integrated Pest Management .::. WOW Bugs .::. UGA Museum of Natural History Collection .::. Georgia Entomological Society
Questions and/or comments to: bugman@uga.edu Page last modified: February 16, 2007