Section II. INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT
1-3. PRINCIPLES OF ARTHROPOD CONTROL
There are two major principles of control that may be employed in dealing with
arthropod problems -- preventive and corrective. Preventive control involves the use of
methods to forestall or postpone (insofar as possible) pest infestations. Generally, this
type of control is more effective, more economical, permanent, and usually non-
chemical in nature. It usually requires high initial expenses and results are not readily
apparent. Corrective control involves the use of methods designed to cope with existing
infestations; hence, it is a "brush fire" approach. Usually this type of control involves a
low initial cost, fast results, and it is the only alternative once prevention fails. This type
of control is typically less effective, more expensive in the long run, temporary in nature,
and usually chemical.
1-4. INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT
Integrated pest management (IPM) is defined as the management of pest
populations by using all suitable means of control in a compatible manner so as to avoid
damage and minimize adverse side effects. Table 1-2 contains an integrated pest
management matrix. IPM has been necessitated by pesticide resistance in arthropods,
resurgence of pest populations after chemical control programs are stopped, pesticide
residues in the environment, secondary pests arising after chemical control programs
destroy natural predator populations, destruction of nontarget organisms, chemical
hazards to applicators, and the expense of pesticides. Questions which must be
considered concerning implementation of IPM are: Is the pest a problem? Where is it a
problem? When is it a problem? What is the damage or economic threshold? Is
control practical and cost effective? Is this the least disruptive program? How easily is
the program implemented? Should temporary or permanent measures be used? IPM
can be categorized according to various control methods, including:
a. Mechanical.
b. Physical.
c. Cultural.
e. Regulatory.
f. Chemical.
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