IPM: What is it?

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is an 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.

It needs to be noted that less than 1% of all insect species are considered pests. Insects are a vital part of garden health. The truth is plants need insects, as do birds wildlife and “good bugs” such as ladybugs. Pests are simply insects that are out of place. Would you consider a monarch butterfly a pest? How about a bumble bee? Or maybe you’re thinking of a tomato hornworm. The difference is that one of these insects shares your liking of tomatoes!

Managing Pest Problems

IPM is all about prevention. This is accomplished by acquiring knowledge and spending quality time with the plants in your garden. Observe your plants, learn what is normal to them. Look at the stems, the leaves (top and bottom), the moisture in the soil. Getting a feel for what is normal will help you to notice when something is not right. Doing this frequently can help you catch the issue promptly.

Prevention

Pick plants that are well suited to your location. Figure out what your USDA hardiness zone is and find plants that can tolerate the weather conditions there. Here in Florida, we have a subtropical climate. Choose plants that will do well in these conditions. By doing this you are already implementing IPM practices. Learn the growing condition requirements of your plants. Keep in mind that excessive water and fertilizer can cause too much growth that can attract “bad” insects and disease. Learn the life-cycle of insects. You can miss a lot if you are taking a weekly stroll through your garden. Some insects complete their life-cycles in one week and other’s lifecycles take even less time! Aim to check on your plants every time you water, mow, maintain, or plan to check your plants at least twice a week. Read more about pest types in home gardens here. These practices are known as cultural practices.

Think like an Insect

If you have that beautiful, lush, green St. Augustine grass in the wintertime, your grass is a buffet attracting the pests looking for food and shelter. Mow the grass to the appropriate height and let it go dormant, by not fertilizing past mid-October and water only on an “as-needed” basis in the winter to prevent stress. Remember, life is built upon ecosystems. Think of the food chain, there is likely an insect (“good bug”) who can help you manage pests in your garden. Encourage them in your landscape! We call these good guys beneficial insects.

Treatment

So even though you scout regularly, you have a problem. Let’s walk through a few strategies step by step. IPM involves the use of multiple strategies that promote sustainable and environmentally safe options. Picture this: you head out to the garden and see a nasty infestation of aphids on your favorite vegetable. but before you grab a pesticide, try these methods of control first. With these simple practices, you may control the issue before it becomes a problem.

Step 1: Identify the Pest

First, figure out what pest you’re dealing with. This is key because different pests need different treatments. Accurate identification is paramount to selecting the correct treatment method. If you need help, use pest identification guides or contact your local Extension office. Snap a few photos and notate which plant it was found on and the damage it caused. You can also get help from your local UF/IFAS Extension office or from the UF Insect ID Lab at http://entnemdept.ufl.edu/insectid/.

Step 2: Monitor the Pest

Now that you are certain you have correctly identified the pest, keep an eye on your plants. Check for pests on the upper and lower leaf surfaces, as well as in the soil. Monitoring the pests during this time will deepen the understanding of what is happening in your garden and the ecosystem that lives there. Monitor the temperature, humidity, and rainfall as well as signs of feeding and frass (insect excrement). One important element that comes into play is timing. Treatment success will depend on the stage of life for the pest. The younger and fewer number of insects, the easier it will be to get under control. That is not to say you see a couple of “bugs” you spray. Remember those few “bad bugs” serve as food for the beneficial insects that you want to keep in your landscape.

Step 3: Set Action Thresholds

There will always be some level of damage, that is okay. That is the way of life. Decide at what level of infestation or damage you can tolerate. Consider the type of pest, plant, and function of the landscape.

Step 4: Control Methods

Choose how to control the pest. Use a mix of these practices:

  • Mechanical Control
    Mechanical control is the management of pests by physical means. Hand removal of insects and infected (diseased) plant parts, creating a physical barrier to the plant, setting up traps, or removing dead plants are all a part of the cultural practices and types of Mechanical control.
  • Biological Control
    Allow nature to assist you. In nature, ecosystems create a balance amongst species. Biological control involves the recruitment of natural enemies to regulate pests. With these beneficial insects, additional control measures might not be needed. To cultivate these good guys, plant a diversity of vegetation in the landscape to encourage populations of natural enemies. The use of living organisms to control pests is a type of sustainable biological control. A few examples of predators for turf management are ground beetles, ants, vespid wasps, big-eyed bugs, earwigs, and spiders. A few examples of predators in an ornamental landscape include lady beetles (Figure 5), lacebugs, and wasps.

  • Chemical Control
    Try all of the methods mentioned above first, and only use chemicals if needed. Do your research to select an effective product that will treat the issue at hand. Not all pesticides were created equal and attention to the type of chemical is required for effective treatment. Read the entire label and always follow label instructions and state regulations. Pesticides must be used how there are intended to be effective. Ensure that the pesticide contacts the pest according to label instructions. Note the type of soil in your garden or landscape, as Florida’s sandy soils can leach chemicals into the ground water.

Fun Fact: Pest management changed after World War II when the development of nerve gas was discovered to be insecticidal. Read more here.

Helpful resources:

Step 5: Evaluate Results

After treating the problem, evaluate which management strategies worked and which didn’t. Asses the cost, efficacy, and overall result to help hone into what works for you.

Summary

Managing a landscape can be challenging. There is a level of responsibility gardeners and landscapers must consider. Remember, not every insect you see is a pest. Learn how to select the proper plants for your location and the common pests and diseases that can affect your plants. Use pest control methods wisely and consider chemical control as a last resort. On that note, consider landscape IPM training courses and programs are available through UF/IFAS.

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.

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by Julia Sirchia Julia Sirchia, Program Assistant at UF/IFAS Extension Pasco County
Posted: September 2, 2025

Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Horticulture

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