Integrated Pest Management

What is IPM?

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) uses regular monitoring to determine if and when treatments are needed to control weed, insect, or disease pests. IPM employs physical, mechanical, cultural, biological and educational tactics to keep pest numbers low enough to prevent unacceptable damage or annoyance. Chemical controls are used as a last resort, and least-toxic chemicals are preferred.

IPM steps

1. Correctly identify the pest (weed, insect, disease, etc.) and understand its life cycle.
2. Establish tolerance/action thresholds: accept some pests, weeds etc.
3. Monitor regularly to detect pest problems.
4. Modify maintenance program to promote plant health and discourage pests. Gradually replace pest-prone plants.
5. If pests exceed tolerance/action threshold, use cultural, physical, mechanical or biological controls first. If those prove insufficient, use the least-toxic chemical control and application method with least non-target impact, at the most effective time.
6. Evaluate & record effectiveness of control, and modify maintenance or plant choices to support recovery and prevent recurrence.

Register for upcoming trainings or see past presentations & videos at Training & Certification. También en español.

IPM questions? Call the experts!

Email the Garden Hotline or call (206) 633-0224, or the UW Miller Library Plant Answer Line (206) 897-5268. Both are free. They accept emailed photos of problems and will research the most effective, least-toxic solutions for landscape professionals and homeowners.

IPM resources

• Natural Pest, Weed & Disease Control and Lawn Care, and other Natural Yard Care information for homeowners
• Lawns, Plants & Trees resources for professionals, and Training & Certification opportunities
• Turfgrass IPM and Best Practices (video, 48 min.) From WSU and OSU, best cultural practices for high-use turf areas, including mowing, fertilization, irrigation, cultivation, and managing weeds, pests and diseases in turf.

Additional IPM resources

• Grow Smart Grow Safe - safer products and solutions for landscapes, science-based and tested for the Northwest. Or download the free smart phone app.
• UPEST - Washington State University information on indoor and outdoor integrated pest management for schools and households.
• WSU Hortsense - Resources and fact sheets for both agricultural and urban IPM, indoors and in landscapes
• UC IPM - University of California integrated pest management solutions for landscapes and agriculture.
• WSDA Pesticide Certification is required for professionals who apply pesticides
• King County Noxious Weed Control
• King Conservation District - including soil testing
• WSU Cooperative Extension, King County - Master Gardener information
• Tilth Alliance
• Northwest Center for Alternatives to Pesticides
• Xerces Society