IS IPM (INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT) IN YOUR FUTURE?
By Bob Chapman
More gardeners are becoming aware of IPM. Our schools are now in the process of implementing this pest control program, following the lead of many cities, counties and the state using IPM methods in parks and thoroughfares. Many farmers are now using this system to control pest damage and to lessen the use of pesticides. Together they are helping to prevent contamination of the soil, underground water storage systems (the "aquifers" we hear and read about), streams, rivers, salt water bays, marshes and the Pacific Ocean.
WHAT IS IPM? HOW DOES IT WORK? CAN I USE IT IN MY GARDEN?
Integrated pest management (IPM) is an ecosystem-based strategy that focuses on long-term prevention of pests or their damage through a combination of techniques such as biological control, habitat manipulation, modification of cultural practices, and use of resistant varieties. Pesticides are used only after monitoring indicates they are needed. Treatments are made with the goal of removing only the target organism (insects or diseases) and not harming the beneficial insects or organisms in your garden. Pest control materials (sprays, dusts or granules) are selected and applied in a manner that minimizes risks to human health, beneficial and nontarget organisms, and the environment.
Although developed many years ago by the University of California primarily for use by municipalities and their trained professional staffs, there are now great opportunities for home gardeners to use these proven methods.
By using IPM methods gardeners will reduce the high costs of using many pesticides. They will make significant contributions towards maintaining a safe environment for them, their family, our country and the world.
HOW CAN I GET STARTED USING IPM IN MY GARDEN?
- Know the names of the flowers, plants, shrubs or trees in your garden. Don't know what they all are? Take a sample of a leaf or flower of the unknown plant to your local nursery and ask them to identify it. If possible, take a picture (digital cameras are wonderful for this) along with you. Write down the full botanical name as well as the common name, lest you forget it by the time you get home.
- Find out what pests bother the plants in your landscape. Some bugs are easy to identify (aphids, for example) while others may appear that are unfamiliar to you or your garden. Don't know the name of the insect? Collect one or more and take it to a local nursery for identification. Find out if the insect is harmful, harmless or beneficial (one that eats the bad ones). Write down the name, noting the category that the insect falls in.
- Disease organisms can wreak havoc with plants. For example, powdery mildew on roses can ruin the looks of an otherwise beautiful plant and can weaken it by robbing the leaf of the ability to manufacture food. Other diseases attack the roots and stems or just the flowers. Take a sample to your local nursery or to the University Cooperative Extension office in your area for a diagnosis. Write down the full name of the disease. Find the phone number and the location of the office in your county in the "Government Listings" in the front of the phone book. Look under County Government "Cooperative Extension University of California."
OK, NOW THAT I KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM IS, WHERE'S OTHER HELP?
By far the best and most complete source of help for someone getting started in using Integrated Pest Management is the University of California IPM website (www.ipm.ucdavis.edu). This wonderful site offers home gardeners suggestions that are absolutely fabulous in the description and control of pests that invade our gardens. For instance, under the title "How to Manage Pests" there is a subsection titled "Manage and Identify Insects, Mites, Diseases, Nematodes and Weeds" which is the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow as far as learning about the pests and diseases that bother our plants. Clicking on this link takes you to the pot of gold. Here you will find a list of pests in the landscape, garden and turf and how to control them using the proven methods of IPM. Included are insects, mites and snails, nematodes, plant diseases, vertebrates, weeds and lawn and turf pests.
Under the category "Insects, Mites and Snail Pests" for example, you will find over 40 subjects. The category labeled "Plant Diseases" lists 18 common diseases, "Weeds and Other Unwanted Plants" lists 28 common weeds and control suggestions and the section on "Vertebrates" offers solutions for dealing with 18 different birds and animals!
Just for fun, even if you don't grow roses, click on "Roses: Insects, Mites and Beneficials" and you'll be able to see just about any problem the average gardener would have in growing roses. Also note the many links to other parts of the site (Roses in the Garden and Landscape: Diseases and Abiotic Disorders, Roses in the Garden and Landscape: Cultural Practices and Weed Control, pictures of the rose aphid and many other insects that bother our roses) and to the free, downloadable "Pest Notes" related to growing roses successfully. Consider printing any of these for future reference. You'll not regret it.
You'll note that the sections dealing with insects and diseases recommends that you first try to solve the problem(s) using environmentally safe methods and then using IPM-compatible chemicals (sprays, dusts, granules) if that approach fails.
ADDED BENEFITS IN USING IPM IN YOUR GARDEN
- You will soon know all the names of plants, shrubs and trees in your garden.
- You will recognize and know the common insects and diseases that affect the plants in your garden and methods to control them.
- You will learn about the many ways of combating pests and diseases using proven environmentally safe methods.
- You will become a more conscientious gardener.
- Your garden(s) will look better, flowers will be prettier, the vegetables tastier and lawns will be at their best.
- You will know that you are doing your bit to help the environment.