Ingegrated Pest Management (I.P.M)

The new method for growing beautiful lawns, trees and shrubs, or landscapes with less impact on the environment, is called I.P.M. or Integrated Pest Management. I.P.M. is a method of doing cultural practices like watering, fertilizing, pruning and trimming, the right way. The focus is to grow healthy plants that will be stronger and better able to withstand invasion from diseases, and insects that could cause the plant's harm. Of course, pests can and do many times invade plants to the point that some controls may be necessary. Control of the pests would be determined by first scouting the plants and making a determination as to whether or not the number of pests warrant applying pest controls. If it is determined that pest controls are needed, they would then be applied only to the areas which need the controls. The materials to be used would also be reviewed to be certain that the product will cause little or no harm to beneficial insects that may also be present.

I.P.M. has been used for many years now in agriculture and ornamental horticulture. One Step Tree and Lawncare has been a pioneer in this process. One Step began testing the I.P.M. approach in the early 1980s and expanded this technique into all of the services that they now offer. The process is a bit more costly for smaller properties, mainly because the person who is visiting the property requires more experience and training to be able to know when and where to look for pests. Customers feel more secure knowing that the pest controls are being used properly, only when and where they are needed. I.P.M. can actually save a customer money by not making blanket applications where they are not needed.

Visit the Cornell University website and learn more about I.P.M.