University of Calgary
OP-9: Integrated Pest Management

100% of campus grounds including the indoor plantings that grounds looks after are developed and maintained in accordance with an IPM program that adheres to the following five-tiered approach: 1. Sect action thresholds 2. Monitor and identify pests 3. Prevention 4. Control 5. Evaluation The Grounds Department's use of Integrated Pest Management is known by all staff and is managed by the soft landscaping supervisor/horticulturist. U of C grounds does set acceptable pest levels and action thresholds for same. Grounds identifies and monitors pests, and attempts to prevent them by proper cultural care, such as soils, growth habits ie. sun and shade preferences, selecting varieties best for local growing conditions, and maintaining optimum growth and health. As far as controls go Grounds generally tries to control weeds either through Mechanical controls [ie. weed-whipping, mowing or hand-pulling], cultural controls [ ie. goutweed will crowd out weeds], or mulch. In the case of insect or disease problems we use high pressure water spray [aphids, fall cankerworms], hand picking for gall aphid/tent worms and pruning of disease and deadwood. Chemical controls are used very sparingly and mainly for safety reasons, such as the spot spaying of dandelions in the playing fields. We have not used chemical controls on trees or shrubs for many years. Thus we are encouraging more birds, bats, and beneficial insects. For indoor plants grounds is responsible for, insecticidal soaps, hand picking and predatory insects [bio bugs] are used if needed.