Integrated Pest Management

Longwood's Integrated Pest Management (IPM) team leads the field in applying IPM techniques to achieve horticultural excellence while preserving environmental quality. IPM programs include: implementing innovative pest control measures, optimizing environmental conditions for plants, conducting relevant research to solve pest management problems, and applying the highest standards of pesticide safety.

What is IPM?

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) uses multiple strategies to reduce the impact of insects, diseases, weeds, and other pests that damage plants. The main concepts of an IPM program are pest prevention practices, identification of pests, and the use of control measures that match the level and severity of the pest problem. The health and environment of the entire plant is considered. Often nutrient levels or some other environmental factor will stress plants, predisposing them to pests. Modern IPM programs emphasize the use of innovative biological controls, often in conjunction with selective pesticides that carry reduced risks to the environment, unlike their broad-spectrum ancestors. Yet time-honored ideas, such as cultural practices to prevent pest infestations and the conservation of pests' natural enemies are also incorporated into this environmentally conscious approach.  IPM does not simply mean that more pests must be tolerated or that pesticide applications should not be made. IPM seeks to find the most effective yet least intrusive way to reduce the potential impact of pests.