APES In A Box: Integrated Pest Management

Holistic approach to pest management involving biological control, cultivation techniques, and minimal use of synthetic pesticides to reduce pest populations to an economically tolerable level.

Pest and crop are considered as a part of an ecological system. The goal is to reduce the pest population to an economically acceptable level not completely eradicate the pest population. Some of the strategies include crop rotation to disrupt pest populations. Creation of habitat for predators of pest population. Using pest resistant crop varieties. Intercropping makes the spread of pests more difficult. Altering planting times to disrupt pest life cycles. Using physical pest control methods such as using vacuums to remove pests, or spraying plants with hot water to destroy larvae. Narrow spectrum pesticides are used only when the potential crop loss is greater than the crop of spraying the pesticides. There are several advantages of IPM Reduction of environmental and health problems associated with synthetic pesticide use. Requires a great deal of education for farmers and landowners. Can be costly and not as immediately effective as synthetic pesticides. Pest population is usually not completely irradicated. There are several disadvantages of IPM. Successful IPM requires farmers to be well educated on local pests and the ecological systems on their farms. IPM solutions vary from farm to farm. Initial cost of IPM programs may be higher than conventional pesticide spraying.

APES In A Box: Biological Pest Control Biological Pest Control

The intentional introduction of a predator species to control a pest species. Microorganisms, plants, and animals have all been used in certain circumstances to help control pest populations. Can also refer to the use of chemicals that are directly derived from living organisms.

Advantages of BPM

Control of pest population without negative environmental impacts associated with pesticide use. Potential for use with organic agriculture.

Disadvantages of BPM

Potential for non-target species to be impacted by the introduced control species. Disruption of native food chains by the introduced species. Unwanted proliferation of introduced species. Complete eradication of pest population is usually not possible. Can be costly to implement and control.

Epic failures of BPM

Cane toads in Australia. Lady Bugs have been used successfully to control aphids in some parts of the U.S while negatively impacting native species in others. Several instances worldwide of the introduction of cats to control rodent population have often led to an overpopulation of cats which have destroyed native bird populations.

Success stories of BPM

Use of parasitic nematodes to control many lawn and garden pests. Use of flea beetles to control leafy spurge in North Dakota. Using bats to control mosquitoes. Use of insect pheromones to attract pests to a trap. Sterilization and release of male members of pest species.