Implementing Best Pest Management Practices

What is IPM?

Integrated Pest Management, known as IPM, is a sustainable approach to managing pests. This method includes preventative, cultural, physical, biological, and chemical control tools to manage pests in your garden. These steps were created to cause the least harm to people, property, and the environment. approach that uses methods that prioritize the least harmful methods to control insects, plant diseases and weeds. Through this approach, you can learn to manage, not eliminate, insects in the garden without the use of harmful chemicals. The emphasis here is on management of the problem, not eradication.

Manage your Expectations

Did you know a typical home garden has more pesticides (acre for acre) on it than a farmer’s field? You will never eliminate every bug in your garden and you should not want to! The truth is, we need insects. If you determine an insect to be a pest because you do not want to share your tomatoes, then consider these alternative methods before you grab that pesticide.

What is a Pest?

Would you consider a lady bug to be a pest? What about hornworms? The difference between these two insects is that one shares your preference for tomatoes! Most insects are not pests, and the ones that are labeled as pests are simply out of place.

Implementing IPM

IPM is an approach that focuses on managing pests, not eradicating them. Prevention is key, you should be inspecting the plants in your garden frequently to track their health and find possible issues early. Implement cultural control to lower the likelihood of having a pest problem, like choosing pest resistant plants. Use physical control to manually preventing problems, like using netting or your boot to eliminate an unwanted bug. Biological control uses other living organisms, like predators, parasites, and pathogens to control pests naturally, like lacewings and ladybugs. Chemical control is the last resort since it has the largest impact on the environment. And remember, not all pesticides were created equal! Always follow the label and ensure that it is suited to the job you are using it for. Read more here.

For more information visit:

Have a question?

If you have any questions about gardening in Central Florida, please contact UF/IFAS Extension Pasco County at 352-518-0156. For more information on UF/IFAS Extension Pasco County Community Gardens, and how you can join one, visit http://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/pasco/. Supervising Agent: Dr. Whitney Elmore.

Follow us!

We have several ways to connect. Visit our Facebook, Instagram, Eventbrite, Blogs, Florida-Friendly Facebook, & Website.

More Resources

Pasco County Resources: