Why Growers Should Transition to Eco-Friendly IPM Instead of Using Harmful Pesticides
Using Integrated Pest Management (IPM) for your farm, yard or garden is a healthy and eco-friendly alternative to pesticides.
IPM is a way to control the presence of creatures we traditionally refer to and think of as “pests” that is both environmentally friendly and uses common sense. It is a multi-step process that takes into consideration all aspects of pest control to rid your farm, garden or lawn of bugs and animals that you simply can’t allow to stay there.
Every circumstance is different, so it is important to inspect, monitor and report on your situation before determining the best course of action. Below are some basic facts and steps you can take to start implementing an IPM pest control plan.
Determine What to Look Out for
We share this world with a variety of different animals and insects, and while not all of them are desirable to have hanging around in our daily human operations, they have a place and function in the environment — and they have a right to life. However, some species can cause health hazards that impact our quality of life.
It’s important to be aware of health hazards and do your best to avoid exposure to them for yourself and your workers. IPM educates workers on humane ways to avoid too much contact with these kinds of creatures.
Determine the Best Control Route
To determine what will work best for your situation, you’ll need to know exactly what types of insects and animals are present in your work area, and also what types of plants you have. Depending on what types of plants you have and what time of the year it is, there are different prevention methods for your lawn, farm or garden. For your IPM to be successful, you need to know exactly what types of creatures will be attracted to your grow area.
Prevent and Control
Once you’ve determined what creatures to be aware of, you need to determine the best way to prevent or control them. If the level of pests present hasn’t reached your health hazard level, then there are steps you can take to simply prevent them from entering your grow area. These can include steps as simple as just removing things that attract them, such as food and shelter.
Implement a plan to control these animals and bugs and give yourself time to test it out. Steps may include things like humane trapping and releasing. Keep track of what’s working and once you’ve found a perfect IPM plan for your situation, stick to it.
Don’t Spray Pesticides
Controlling bugs and rodents in your lawn, garden or farm area is an ongoing process. While it may seem easy and convenient to spray pesticides, it’s incredibly harmful to the environment and your health. Implementing an IPM and reducing the number of chemicals you use will be eco-friendly and better for your health.
| Kate Harveston Political Journalist & Blogger |
by Editor