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Integrated Pest Management
For Those Pesky Little Critters by Jason Mispagel , contributing writer
Jason Mispagel is the co-owner and operator of Year-Round Garden , a grower ’ s supply center serving both home and commercial customers since 2016 . His extensive growing experience in hydroponics and soil dates to the early days of legalization in Colorado , where he served as one of the state ’ s early caregivers . Year-Round Garden . 1225 W 103rd St , Kansas City , MO . 816.216.6917 – FB : yrroundgarden ● IG : @ yrroundgarden
Over the past five or six years , I ’ ve heard more and more cannabis growers using the term “ Integrated Pest Management ,” or “ IPM ,” when discussing pest control in their gardens . It ’ s become the topic of numerous books and podcasts and seems to be a talking point at every cannabis growing seminar or conference . It ’ s rare , though , that I speak to someone who feels truly confident that they understand what IPM is and how to apply it successfully in their grow .
No doubt , the concept of IPM can be overwhelming , especially when a seasoned expert in the field presents it . Visions of symbiotic relationships where companion plants grow alongside cannabis , attracting good bugs , which in turn eat the bad bugs , are certainly romantic . But those lofty goals are often unrealistic for the average home grower . Fortunately , you don ’ t have to be an entomologist ( someone who studies insects and their relationship to the environment ) to employ IPM in a practical manner that provides a significant level of protection to your garden .
The term Integrated Pest Management is nothing new and has been used for around 50 years . It ’ s defined quite well by the United States Environmental Protection Agency ( EPA ):
“ Integrated Pest Management ( IPM ) is an effective and environmentally sensitive approach to pest management that relies on a combination of common-sense practices . IPM programs use current , comprehensive information on the life cycles of pests and their interaction with the environment . This information , in combination with available pest control methods , is used to manage pest damage by the most economical means , and with the least possible hazard to people , property , and the environment .
“ The IPM approach can be applied to both agricultural and non-agricultural settings , such as the home , garden , and workplace . IPM takes advantage of all appropriate pest management options including , but not limited to , the judicious use of pesticides . In contrast , organic food production applies many of the same concepts as IPM but limits the use of pesticides to those that are produced from natural sources , as opposed to synthetic chemicals .”
IPM stemmed from concerns over the longterm impact of chemical pesticides on the environment but has since evolved with our scientific understanding of agriculture and horticulture . So , what are the “ commonsense practices ” found in an IPM program ? They can actually be simplified down to four basic components : Identification , Monitoring , Prevention , and Control .
Identification
An IPM program only functions properly if you first identify the pests and pathogens you ’ re trying to prevent . For instance , beneficial insects ( i . e ., ladybugs ) and microorganisms ( i . e ., nematodes ) would have a positive impact if present in your grow ,