Is there anything worse than spending hard earned money and time you will never get back on landscaping and improving the look of your home or business with flowers and plants to only have them decimated by insects and other pests? You work tirelessly to select the right arrangement of colors, orchestrating the perfect placement, and ensuring each plant is properly cared for only to later notice your shrubs and plants now serve as a home with a built in food supply to an assortment of different bugs. Instead of your work going to enhance the curb appeal of a property, you’ve spent time and money ensuring these pests now have a happy and sustainable home - something no one wants.

The quickest solution attempt is to cover everything in a toxic pesticide but this approach can have an extremely adverse effect on not only your plants but other members of the household, including pets and children. Also, the “spray everything and hope for the best” approach may not target the specific insects which are causing the headache to begin with and if there is something worse than the above situation it’s spending even more money for a solution that fails to remedy the issue.

Fortunately, there is a productive and comprehensive approach which can serve to eliminate pests and bugs causing harm or issues to your property. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) uses a step-by-step approach to not only identify the culprit(s) but utilize a safe an effective means of eradication that is environmentally friendly and specific to each unique scenario. Depending on a variety of factors, pesticide application may still be a useful tool in helping to regain control of your landscape but the process and final conclusion far outweigh a general spray everything approach.

Each of the following characteristics of IPM serves to give individuals an outline of their special approach when it comes to extermination services.

Correct Identification

The first step in the IPM process is to correctly identify the subject matter in question. Damage to plants and foliage can be caused by pests who have inhabited a garden or landscape but there are other outside factors to consider as well. Rain, wind, sun, and extreme hot or cold temperatures can all have an effect on the growth cycle of a plant or cause damage to their leaves and flowers. This should not be identified as an issue with a specific pest if no insect or other culprit has not been observed within the damaged area.

If beetles, spiders, or other bugs have been seen causing any damage to the scene then correctly identifying their specific type is vital to the treatment process moving forward. Also, those responsible for implementing the IPM steps should also be aware of what stage in the life cycle these pests are at, their regeneration periods, and if multiplication is a possibility.

By first getting a positive identification on the cause and reason behind an issue, then an appropriate plan for managing the problem appropriately can be formulated.

Monitor and Determination

After correctly identifying the presence of pests in an area then a comprehensive monitoring plan should be initiated. By monitoring the insects in action and using IPM a determination can be made as to whether the insects are causing a significant amount of damage to the plant life in question.

IPM insect monitoring can use a variety of different methods including: visual, sweep nets, traps, and other means of observation. These steps help to determine if there are any natural pest predators also in the current environment and the shear number of potential problems for an area.

Once these two factors are considered, the potential damage that could be caused by the number of pests in question can be properly calculated. If there are natural causes for extermination already at play and only a small number of potential pests then nothing extra may need to be administered to the landscape for protection.

Application

The best method for pest control is to think ahead and not unintentionally create an inviting atmosphere for pests to thrive. Eliminating potential food sources or creating natural barriers to keep insects from invading is a positive first-step during any installation but if the problem is at hand, then application of a necessary deterrent is needed.

Before immediately reaching for a pesticide, even one that targets the specific pests in question, determining if any non-chemical methods of extermination are available is an important step in the IPM process which serves in the best interest of all involved parties - including the environment.

A handful of cultural, physical and biological controls exist that serve to alleviate the problem without relying on any chemicals. These methods are typically extremely effective without requiring a spray to be used.

Finally, if the IPM process has run its course and no other means of eradication is available then the implementation of a pesticide may be considered. Used only as a last ditch effort to fix the problem, the application of a pesticide targeting the specific issue may also be applied with one of the non-toxic controls above to help reduce the amount of pesticide needed to eliminate the issue.

The IPM approach of Arbor Garden Tree & Landscaping replaces needless spraying with more targeted injections to control insects and plant disease. Arbor Garden feels strongly that MORE pesticides are not the answer. Arbor Garden uses the IPM approach to control insects whenever possible. IPM is a highly effective and environmentally sensitive approach to pest management that relies on a combination of common-sense practices and extremely well-researched measures. Our IPM programs use current, extensive information on the life cycles of pests and their interaction with the environment. Combining this information with available pest control methods allows us to manage pest damage by the most economical means, and with the least possible hazard to people, property, and the environment. Our overall goal is to bring the best possible health and well-being to plants and the area around them. Start preventing and fighting insects and plant diseases on your property by contacting us today!