“Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is a sustainable approach to managing pests by combining
biological, cultural, physical, and chemical tools in a way that minimizes economic, health, and
environmental risks”.
what is a pest?
A pest is an organism that invades an area and grows there even if it is not wanted. Pests can harm crops that are grown for food as well as plants, people, buildings, and other living things.
History of IPM (Integrated pest management)
IPM has been a concept for more than 60 years, and it has changed over that time. It was initially created in the 1950s in response to synthetic pesticides’ detrimental effects on the environment and public health. The initial strategy emphasized using non-pesticide methods of pest control in order to reduce the use of pesticides. The strategy for managing pests has evolved over time to become more holistic, taking into account the entire ecosystem.
IPM is founded on several important tenets:
1. Prevention: Preventing pest infestations is the first line of defense. This includes procedures that make an environment less hospitable to pests, such as crop rotation, sanitation, and cultural controls.
2. Identification: In order to choose the best course of action, it is crucial to correctly identify the pest. Understanding the pest’s lifecycle, behavior, and preferred habitat are part of this.
3. Monitoring: Regular monitoring is necessary to identify pests early and stop the spread of infestations.
4. Thresholds: IPM employs thresholds to decide when intervention is required. In order to do this, a threshold for pest activity must be set.
5. Control: IPM employs a variety of control techniques, such as chemical, cultural, and biological ones.For the particular pest and circumstance, the best and least harmful approach should be used.
6. Evaluation: IPM programs are regularly assessed to make sure they are successful and long-lasting.