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Prevention & Cultural Practices (IPM)

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An Ounce of Prevention is Worth a Pound of Cure

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is a multifaceted approach to pest management that involves a combination of actions and decisions used to protect your property from unacceptable damage caused by insects, plant diseases, weeds, and other destructive pests.

Soil Building and Fertility

Incorporate organic matter in flower and vegetable beds on a regular basis.
Feed the soil, not the plants.
Take a soil test every 1-2 years and adjust the pH accordingly.
Fertilize as needed to maintain vigor.
Avoid over-fertilizing plants, as it can lead to pest problems.

Mulches

Apply mulch to a depth of no more than 3 inches.
Keep mulch away from tender plants.
Mulches help to maintain even soil moisture, prevent weed growth and soil erosion, and protect plant roots and crowns from winter damage.

Choose the Right Plant for the Right Place

Select well-adapted varieties for the site conditions.
Select disease or insect-resistant varieties.
Purchase healthy, certified, disease-free seeds, transplants, and nursery stock.
Plant at the right time.
Purchase plants that will ‘fit’ into the site when they reach mature size.

Proper Planting Techniques

Select suitable sites for the selected plants.
Prepare soil correctly.
Make the hole 2–3 times the size of the root ball.
Plant shrubs and trees with the root flare at or just above the soil line.
Water newly planted trees and shrubs deeply (2″ of water) every 1 to 2 weeks as needed.

Encourage Beneficial Insects and Mites

Choose plants of different heights to provide refuge for beneficials.
Provide a succession of flowering from spring to fall to provide food sources.
Provide water in shallow containers.

Irrigation Techniques

Avoid overhead watering and splashing soil onto plants.
Water trees and shrubs slowly and deeply. Remember that the root zone can extend out 2 to 3 times the height of the tree beyond the drip line. Check the depth of soil moisture after irrigation by digging a small hole or inserting a stick.
Use drip irrigation and soaker hoses where practical.

Remove or Mow Weeds

Hand pull, rogue out with tools, mow very low, or use an herbicide carefully.
Weeds rob plants of moisture and nutrients and are alternate hosts for pests and diseases.

Other Cultural Practices

Prune to increase air circulation.
Avoid accidental root-pruning through hoeing and tilling.
Do not work with plants when foliage or soil is wet.
Use floating row covers to prevent pest problems (with vegetables).

Garden Sanitation

Remove and dispose of diseased or infested plant parts and dead plants.
Rake up and dispose of diseased leaves and fruits.
Clean up and compost garden debris in the fall.

Healthy Transplants

Use soilless planting media.
Use clean, sanitized seedling flats and plant containers.
Do not over-water.
Acclimatize transplants that are grown indoors by slowly introducing them to outdoor conditions.
Protect new transplants and seedlings from cutworms and slugs with paper collars.

Island Environmental works directly with homeowners and their landscaper, gardener, and/or property manager to ensure the best practices are being implemented on your property to prevent unwanted guests in your landscape. Educating yourself is important because many plants can often tolerate a small number of pests. Small amounts of injury to plant material from pests can work to stimulate new plant growth leading to stronger and healthier plants. A successful IPM program requires everyone to work in concert to ensure the appropriate management tools and tactics are being used to control pests while minimizing risks to your plants, to people, pets, and the environment.