IPM (Integrated Pest Management) is a systematic, multi-layered approach to managing plant pests and diseases that minimises the use of chemical pesticides. IPM prioritises prevention, monitoring, and biological controls β introducing beneficial predatory insects, applying organic sprays, and maintaining environmental conditions that disfavour pest populations β before resorting to chemical intervention. In indoor and hydroponic growing, IPM is the standard framework for maintaining clean, pesticide-light crops.
Key Facts
- Prevention: quarantine new plants, maintain hygiene, control humidity and temperature
- Monitoring: weekly scouting for early pest signs β eggs, webbing, sticky traps
- Biological controls: Predatory mites (Phytoseiidae) for spider mites; nematodes for fungus gnats
- Organic sprays: neem oil, insecticidal soap, spinosad, pyrethrin as targeted interventions
- Chemical pesticides: last resort only, with strict pre-harvest intervals
- Record-keeping: tracking outbreaks and interventions improves future prevention