5.12 Integrated Pest Management

What is IPM?

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) combines multiple pest-control strategies — biological, cultural, mechanical, and limited chemical — to minimize economic damage while reducing environmental and health risks. It aims to keep pests below a damaging threshold rather than eliminate them entirely, reducing reliance on synthetic pesticides.

Strategies used in IPM

Biological control introduces natural predators/parasites (e.g., ladybugs for aphids). Crop rotation and polyculture disrupt pest life cycles. Mechanical/physical control uses traps, barriers, or hand removal. Pesticides are used sparingly and as a last resort, minimizing pesticide resistance and non-target harm.

Why IPM matters

Overreliance on chemical pesticides causes pesticide resistance, bioaccumulation, biomagnification, and harm to pollinators and other non-target species. IPM lowers these risks, reduces costs over time, and promotes sustainable agriculture, though it can require more planning, monitoring, and knowledge than conventional pest control.

Key terms

Integrated Pest Management (IPM)

A pest-control approach combining biological, cultural, mechanical, and limited chemical methods to reduce damage while minimizing environmental harm.

Biological control

Using natural predators or parasites (e.g., ladybugs, parasitic wasps) to reduce pest populations.

Crop rotation

Alternating crop species in a field each season to disrupt pest life cycles and reduce infestations.

Pesticide resistance

The evolved ability of pest populations to survive exposure to a pesticide due to repeated use.

Benefit of IPM over pesticide-only methods

Reduces pesticide resistance, non-target species harm, and long-term environmental/economic costs, though it requires more monitoring.

Try an AP-style question

What is integrated pest management (IPM)?

1. Using only one chemical pesticide
2. Spraying pesticides on a fixed schedule
3. Combining methods to limit pesticide use
4. Removing all insects from farms