Mizzou Crop & Pest News // Integrated Pest Management, University of Missouri (2024)

FAQs

Why isn't IPM used widely? ›

While IPM has significant economic, health, and environmental benefits, many farmers avoid using it due to the risk of pest outbreaks.

Here are some of the limitations of IPM as a pest control manufacturing technique: Time-consuming: IPM requires ongoing monitoring and assessment of pest populations, as well as the implementation of various pest management techniques. This can be time-consuming and require significant resources.

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is an effective and environmentally sensitive approach to pest management that relies on a combination of common-sense practices. IPM programs use current, comprehensive information on the life cycles of pests and their interaction with the environment.

IPM reduces insecticide applications by 95% while maintaining or enhancing crop yields through wild pollinator conservation.

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.” In other words, IPM refers to safe, eco-friendly methods for dealing with pests.

Some of the benefits of an integrated approach: Promotes sound structures and healthy plants. Promotes sustainable bio-based pest management alternatives. Reduces environmental risk associated with pest management by encouraging the adoption of more ecologically benign control tactics.

IPM addresses the source of pest problems, whereas pesticides simply respond to the pest. Ultimately, IPM helps in reducing pesticides, which is a key component in creating pollinator-friendly habitat. Pesticides are harmful to pollinators and beneficial insects.

Field trials show that IPM practices and reductions in pesticide use do not reduce crop yields^{15, 16}, and in some cases, IPM adoption has resulted in higher crop yields^{7, 17}.

THE PEST MANAGEMENT PYRAMID

The pyramid is built on a solid foundation of IDENTIFICATION and biological information about pest threats. Biological information provides insight to the vulnerabilities of pests to the full range of management tools and techniques that are available for management.

The principles of IPM include: Identify pests, their hosts and beneficial organisms before taking action. Establish monitoring guidelines for each pest species. Establish an action threshold for the pest.

What is the first step in IPM? ›

Species identification of pests is essential because pests differ in behavior and life cycle, and because these characteristics affect the methods used for management. An accurate identification is the first step in understanding a pest's life cycle, behavior, and preferred habitats and food sources.

Is pursuing IPM a good career option? Yes, pursuing IPM is a good career option. It provides a unique blend of undergraduate and postgraduate studies, preparing students for leadership roles in various industries.

IPM - Is IPM more expensive than pesticides? While the initial costs of an IPM program may be higher, it can prove to be more cost-effective in the long run. This is due to the fact that an IPM program can decrease a facility's reliance on pesticide applications, thereby reducing overall costs.

Genetically engineered (GE) crops that provide protection against insects and diseases, or tolerance to herbicides are important tools that complement a diversified integrated pest management (IPM) plan.

The aim of IPM is to reduce the use of the synthetic organic pesticide. It discourages the use of chemical pesticides.

IPM programs take advantage of all appropriate pest management strategies, including the judicious use of pesticides. Preventive pesticide application is limited because the risk of pesticide exposure may outweigh the benefits of control, especially when non-chemical methods provide the same results.

IPM addresses the source of pest problems, whereas pesticides simply respond to the pest. Ultimately, IPM helps in reducing pesticides, which is a key component in creating pollinator-friendly habitat. Pesticides are harmful to pollinators and beneficial insects.

By correcting conditions that lead to pest problems and using least-toxic pesticides only when necessary, IPM provides more effective pest control, often without increasing costs.