Integrated Pest Management Guide

INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT (IPM)

IPM is a knowledge-based decision-making process that strives to manage crop pests in an economical, efficient, environmentally friendly manner. IPM decision-making requires understanding the pest problem, applying the economic or action thresholds for triggering pest management, knowing the risks and benefits of the various management options, and choosing the lowest risk, most efficient pest management strategy available.

Inherent to the IPM Strategy are:

1. The concept of monitoring the pest population and/or factors influencing the pest population so that control is used only if the pest is present at numbers to be concerned about and/or if conditions are conducive to pest reproduction and  growth.
2. All appropriate methods should be used. A combination of approaches is desirable, rather than reliance on a single technique. Combinations must be economical.
3. Broad-spectrum pesticides should be avoided, with the use of selective chemicals desired.
4. The least disruptive approach is to be used. Thus, adequate controls that do not upset desirable aspects of the system will be adopted.

Recognizing these principles and concepts, this IPM manual promotes the use of sound IPM strategies and techniques by cranberry growers to ensure the development of sustained cranberry production in Canada.

(Exerpted from text by Jere Downing, Ph.D., Executive Director of the Cranberry Institute)

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