The concept of integrated pest management (IPM) is built on using a multifaceted approach to deal with insects, plant diseases, weeds or any other pest you may encounter. One component of IPM is cultural controls: steps that can be taken to reduce the likelihood of needing to deal with a pest. This includes prevention as well as manipulating the environment to discourage pest development or impact.

The ideal situation for pest management is to keep the pest from even showing up. Preventing the introduction of a pest takes forethought and sometimes a higher initial investment, which may offset costs and headaches down the road. When purchasing fruit trees, bushes, plugs, seeds or even a single plant, it is important to look for ones that are certified disease- or virus-free. Additionally, when the shipment arrives, carefully inspect the above ground and below ground portions of the plants for any signs of insects or diseases, and return the plants if anything is discovered. Purchasing weed-free mulch, topsoil, or compost can minimize the potential for invasive weeds entering your property.

Site selection and variety selection are equally important cultural controls. If plants are grown in areas that are not well suited for their growth, even a farmer’s best effort will not be enough to avoid problems. Sites that have soils with good drainage can prevent many root rots. Orienting plant rows in a north-south direction can help to expose the plants to more sunlight, thus drying the leaves more quickly, which may prevent some foliar diseases. Additionally, selecting plant varieties that are adapted to your growing zone and, when at all possible, have disease resistance for common diseases in that area, can help prevent many other avoidable problems.

After the plant varieties and site have been determined, proper care of the plants can reduce the likelihood of some pests from attacking the plant. Additionally, it can help the plant to tolerate more damage before there is a yield reduction or significant plant damage. Proper spacing between plants and yearly pruning can increase air flow throughout the field and within the plant canopy. Rotating crops, like strawberries, to different sections of the property when new plantings are established may help reduce the possibility of soil-borne diseases or insects from building up in that area. Soil and foliar tests can determine nutrient deficiencies in the plants, which directs the ideal fertilizer rate to avoid over or under applying nutrients. The overuse of nitrogen, in particular, can lead to overgrowth of lush leafy material that favors insects and plant pathogens. Nutrient-stressed plants may lead to weaker plants that cannot tolerate damage without major consequences. Supplemental water, without overwatering, also reduces plant stress.

Lastly, in smaller plantings in particular, sanitation and removing alternative host plants can make a difference in reducing pest levels on your property. Many insects will develop inside fallen fruit, so destroying that fruit can remove some of the insects or plant pathogens from that area. Collecting damaged or overripe berries and destroying them, rather than letting them fall to the ground, may also reduce pest development. Placing rotten or fallen fruit directly in a nearby compost pile may not be enough to kill the pests unless the compost pile reaches high temperatures. Throwing the fruit away, burying it, or solarizing it (placing it in the sun under/inside plastic to heat it to levels where the pests are killed), may be more effective.

When these practices are followed, in the best case scenario, insects, plant pathogens, weeds, and vertebrates will not be a problem. While complete prevention may not always be possible, preventing pests from entering your property, and then manipulating the environment to discourage pest development and growth can have a substantial impact on reducing pest pressure. These practices along with mechanical controls, encouraging biological controls, and using chemical controls when necessary, form the basis of an integrated pest management program.

This article was posted in Insects and tagged IPM.