How to Manage Pests Sustainably with IPM

These dos and don’ts show how this earth-friendly approach can be adapted to any size garden

integrate pest direction ( IPM ) may fathom complicated , like something only professionals can do . But this commonsense approach to maintaining garden health is actually something we all can work into our garden routines . merely put , IPM is about using the least toxic , most effective method acting of pest control possible .

Careful observation and skilful research are the keys to obtain the best root to a garden trouble . At Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square , Pennsylvania , we get out on a variety of strategy to handle pests . Cultural control is our first and good option , reflected in our on-going sweat to give plants the space , light , and other resources they need to grow stiff and of course fight off pests . We also use a motley of forcible and mechanical pest control methods , such as installing cervid fencing , removing bugs by hand , and pulling weeds . Sometimes we trust on biological controls such as releasing beneficial insects that feed on pest , or put up home ground for insect - hunting fowl . Chemical control is a last refuge , considered only when other method of pest direction fail . Our team chooses chemical control condition carefully , assay the least toxic options and those that specifically place the pests we desire to eliminate . We apply only enough to be efficacious and take all potential precautions to keep off harm people and other living things .

If you would like to uprise an IPM plan of your own , here are some simple dos and don’ts to help get you started .

DOencourage beneficial insects

Pollinators are important but are by no means the only beneficial insect to encourage in our gardens . We can also attract insect that prey on pests and perform other garden job . For example , syrphid tent flap , also known as hover fly , are valuable garden guests . The adults feed in on nectar and pollen , and some are undecomposed pollinator . The larvae help to ruin down decay plant matter in the soil and eat pestis such as aphid and thrips . Your IPM plan can admit surveying your garden to identify the good guys you already have , and memorise what you’re able to do to draw in more . Planting the preferred food and habitat mintage for good insects is a surefire manner to increase their numbers .

DOplant plenty of different species

Variety is the spicery of life , and it can also help to relieve disease and insect pressure in your garden . If you satisfy your garden with just a few species , it will be much easier for diseases or louse to move rapidly and do a lot of impairment . For exercise , boxwood blight would move chop-chop through a garden plant mainly with boxwood . Many insect and diseases are host - specific and will not bear upon neighbors in a diverse sundry planting .

DOkeep things tidy

To ensure a more comfortable garden and hefty plants , a few lowly chores can make a big conflict . For good disease direction , transfer any fallen diseased leaves . To push good melodic phrase circulation , which discourages fungi and other moisture - loving pathogen , be certain to the right way blank space and prune plant . Find the spotlight where gnawer and louse pests are most likely to hang out , and remove any detritus they might be live in . Finding and removing resist pee is an sluttish way to shrink the mosquito universe in your yard without spraying .

DOgrow healthy plants

The easiest thing you may do to naturally contend pests is to grow healthy plant . retrieve about how much comfortable it is for you to fight back off infection when you consume properly , stay hydrated , and avoid stress . Plants are much the same . As part of your IPM plan , make it your concern to take what nutrients your works need , how much H2O they like , and how they should be pruned . turn on eliminating vulgar stressors such as overwatering , excessive dirt ball damage , disturbance or compaction of antecedent zones , overly thick planting , and overmulching . Find the ripe berth for your plants , since those force to live outside of their preferred precondition will be more susceptible to problems .

DON’Ttry to remove all insects from your garden

If you take the time to identify possible pest that you spot on your plants , you will soon hear that most backyard bugs are not scary invaders purpose on doing harm . As part of your IPM design , work on reduce your pesticide use , and discover to be OK with some damage . Sometimes using the least toxic control method will mean that a few pests are left behind , but it also intend that favorite garden invitee , such as monarch butterfly stroke larvae ( photo ) are leave unharmed . As long as you do n’t mind seeing occasional grounds of the worm that share your garden , you’re able to focalise on pest control praxis that nurture a healthy , diverse garden ecosystem .

DON’Tassume that spraying is your only option

There are a variety of tools in the IPM toolbox to combat pests without chemicals . Be sure to conceive cultural , biologic , and mechanically skillful solutions before moving to pesticide . ethnic control are action we can take that alter growing conditions — for exemplar , refrain from overhead watering to discourage fungal diseases , or moving a plant that is susceptible to spider mite out of full Dominicus ( spider mites love hot , dry atmospheric condition ) . Biological controls employ one organism to control another , such as releasing lacewings to wipe out aphid , or spray Bt to control caterpillars . ( ascertain how to use Bt safely . ) Mechanical controls might postulate using a pecker to physically remove the stressor , such as prune out a arm or leaf infested with insects . The key to a good IPM plan is to always seek out the least toxic yet most efficacious coming for each situation .

DON’Tjudge a book by its cover

Before you try on to eliminate an dirt ball you ’ve found in your garden , it is all-important to name it and determine whether it is a friend , foe , or guiltless bystander . Some scary - appear insects are in fact beneficial species that help to control pests . Other dirt ball may cause alarm when they congregate in your garden , but further research will bear witness that they are not pests . For instance , box elder bugs ( Boisea trivittata , photo ) often meet in large number before overwintering , but they do not cause significant terms to most garden plants .

— Rachel Schnaitman manages the IPM programme at Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square , Pennsylvania .

Photos , except where noted : Carol Collins

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