Illinois Central College
OP-9: Integrated Pest Management

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is an effective and environmentally sensitive approach to pest management that relies on a combination of common-sense practices. Illinois Central College IPM program uses current, comprehensive information on the life cycles of pests and their interaction with the environment. This information, in combination with available pest control methods, is used to manage pest damage by the most economical means, and with the least possible hazard to people, property, and the environment. Our IPM system is designed around six basic components: 1. Acceptable pest levels: The emphasis is on control, not eradication 2. Preventive cultural practices: Selecting varieties best for local growing conditions, and maintaining healthy plants, is the first line of defense 3. Monitoring: Regular observation is the cornerstone of IPM to ensure catching the problem at an early stage 4. Mechanical controls: Should a pest reach an unacceptable level, mechanical methods are the first options to consider. They include simple hand-picking, erecting insect barriers and using traps. A few examples of this would be: a. Controlling bagworm on campus by picking the bags from the junipers before the worms emerge to eat. b. Removing sections of the branches in crab apple trees that tent caterpillars have formed nests c. Using pheromone traps to help remove the Japanese Beetle population around our linden trees on campus d. Pulling weeds out of landscape beds by hand and taking them to our compost pile 5. Biological controls: Natural biological processes and materials can provide control, with minimal environmental impact, and often at low cost. The main focus here is on promoting beneficial insects that eat target pests. An example would be our Martin houses that have been installed around our pond, which has a heavy mosquito population 6. Responsible Pesticide Use: Synthetic pesticides are generally only used as required and often only at specific times in a pests life cycle