Least-toxic Integrated Pest Management (IPM)

Least-toxic Integrated Pest Management (IPM) emphasizes non-chemical means of preventing and reducing pest problems. These practices can drastically reduce or eliminate the use of chemical pesticides while reducing pest problems in schools. IPM can bring other benefits as well, including better energy efficiency, structural maintenance/building repairs, better indoor air quality, and cost savings.

Pest Prevention

In order to protect human health, pest prevention should be the primary pest control tool for landscaping, building maintenance, and other pest management activities. Some of the basic pest prevention measures include:

• Improved sanitation (removal of pest attractants such as food and garbage) and mechanical exclusion (caulking, screens) provide significant pest control.
• Design and construction choices can reduce potential for creating pest habitats. For example, creating vegetation-free buffer zones alongside buildings deters pests and minimizes infestation.
• Planting appropriate landscapes (including pest-resistant and native plants) and using mulch can prevent weed infestation and other pest problems.
• Physical barriers, such as mow strips (concrete or wooden strips along the edges of turf), and filled cracks can decrease weeds in hard-to-mow or concrete areas.
• Knowledge about pests, such as infestation thresholds, life cycles, environmental considerations, and natural enemies is necessary for effective pest prevention.
• Monitoring pest populations is critical to identify existing problems and areas of potential concern, as well as determining how decisions and practices may impact future pest populations. Ongoing monitoring will prevent a small pest problem -- easily controlled with least-toxic means -- from becoming an infestation.
• Promoting healthy populations of a pest's natural enemies can also help prevent infestation.
  
• Establishing tolerance levels (or thresholds) of pest populations will guide decisions about when pests pose a problem that is sufficient to warrant some level of treatment.

Non-Toxic Solutions

If treatment is necessary, non-chemical means are given priority. Beneficial organisms, freezing, flame, and heat treatments are examples of non-chemical pest treatment strategies.

Lawn Weeds: Control weeds in turf and playing fields by planting grass species that flourish in the local environment and by maintaining healthy turf (including aerating, thatching, fertilizing, proper irrigation, mowing, and overseeding). Read our Lawn Care (38kb PDF file) fact sheet for detailed information.

Weeds in beds and paved areas: Remove weeds in paved areas by using string trimmers, weed "flamers," and pouring hot water on weeds. Control weeds in ornamental beds by mulching and planting native low-growing shrubs and ground-cover plants. Non-toxic products, such as corn gluten, are also available to prevent weed seedlings. Read our Weed Management (39kb PDF file) fact sheet for more information.

Blackberries: Physical controls are best for these prickly invaders. Consistently mowing down all new growth for several years will eventually kill the root system of these hardy plants. Root removal during dormant times (winter) will prevent reseeding.

Tent Caterpillars: Physical controls include pruning to remove tents, and wiping off egg masses during the winter. Our Tent Caterpillars (42kb PDF file) fact sheet has more information.

Yellowjackets: Ensure lids on all garbage containers and food containers are closed tightly. Simple, non-chemical traps are effective in reducing localized problems. Nest removal can be done if necessary. Read our Getting Along with Yellowjackets (49kb PDF file) fact sheet for more information.

Aphids: Correct plant selection, pruning, and fertilization (but not over-fertilization) to strengthen plants can decrease aphid populations. Water sprayed in strong blasts knocks aphids from plants, and sticky or Teflon barriers around trunks can effectively control ants that defend aphids from predators. Go to our Aphids (41kb PDF file) fact sheet for additional information.

Crane flies: Maintaining proper irrigation, fertilization, and turf health helps the grass outgrow crane fly damage. Healthy lawns can outgrow populations of at least 25 (and up to 80) crane fly grubs per square foot. Aeration in the spring may help reduce their population. Beneficial nematodes have been shown to be effective in substantially reducing larval populations when soil warms sufficiently in spring. Some birds are predators of the crane fly. Information on how to measure populations and additional control methods are detailed in our European Crane Fly (38kb PDF file) fact sheet.

Slugs: Reduce habitat of slugs by removing unnecessary debris, such as boards, rocks, bricks, and other objects slugs may hide under. Natural predators and non-chemical slug traps also reduce slug populations. Copper strip barriers around garden beds deter slug infestation. Read our fact sheet Protecting Your Plants from Slugs (90kb PDF file) for more information.

Cockroaches: Eliminate roach-attracting habitat, including paper and cardboard stacks and exposed food and water. Store food and organic waste in roach-proof containers. Clean and caulk cracks and crevices. Repair water leaks and keep kitchen and bathrooms dry. More information can be found in our Common Indoor Pests (188kb PDF file) fact sheet.

Rats and mice: Combine measures to prevent entry, and use traps to manage rodents. Seal holes and potential entryways and weather-strip doors. Remove food sources by cleaning food scraps and keeping food in sealed containers. Read our Rodents (43kb PDF file) fact sheet for more detailed information.

Ants: To manage ants, block their entryways, eliminate food sources, and remove ant trails with soapy water. Caulk cracks and crevices and seal exterior doors and windows with weather stripping and door sweeps. Read our Common Indoor Pests (188kb PDF file) fact sheet and our Protecting Your Home from Carpenter Ants (42kb PDF file) fact sheet for more information.