Integrated Pest Management
/in-tuh-GRAY-ted PEST MAN-ij-ment/🦠 Diseases●● Intermediate
Also known as: IPM
An ecosystem-based pest management strategy that combines biological, cultural, physical, and chemical tools in a way that minimizes economic, health, and environmental risks. IPM emphasizes prevention, monitoring, establishing action thresholds, and using the least-toxic effective methods. Chemical controls are a last resort.
Etymology
Latin integrare (to make whole) + pestis (plague) + manus (hand) + agere (to do)
Example
“Our IPM program monitors pest populations weekly and only applies targeted treatments when thresholds are exceeded.”