Integrated pest management (IPM) is an approach to pest management that can significantly reduce pesticide use. Widely used in agriculture, landscape maintenance, and structural pest control, it emphasizes prevention and monitoring of pest problems and considers pesticide applications only when non-chemical controls are ineffective or impractical.

IPM can be practiced by individuals in and around their homes. A home IPM approach stresses proper food-waste management, appropriate plant selection and landscape design, biological and cultural controls, and physical controls such as traps, barriers, and mechanical removal.

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Additional information on IPM:

• Toxipedia topic page on Integrated Pest Management

• IPMopedia: About IPM