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Pesticides and Food:
What "Integrated Pest Management" Means
Age-old, common-sense practices are what many people associate
with IPM. Today many growers no longer apply pesticides to food on a regular
basis regardless of whether or not there are insects, weeds, or other
pest problems. In some parts of the country, food is being marketed as
IPM food.
Some practices for preventing pest damage may include:
- inspecting crops and monitoring crops for damage,
and
- using mechanical trapping devices, natural predators
(e.g., insects that eat other insects), insect growth regulators, mating
disruption substances (pheromones), and if necessary, chemical pesticides.
The use of biological pesticides is an important component of IPM.
In technical terms, Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is the coordinated
use of pest and environmental information with available pest control
methods to prevent unacceptable levels of pest damage by the most economical
means and with the least possible hazard to people, property, and the
environment.
For more information on Integrated Pest Management:
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