University of California, San Diego
OP-9: Integrated Pest Management

UC San Diego uses and conforms to the following definition of integrated pest management (IPM). A pest management strategy that focuses on long-term prevention or suppression of pest problems through a combination of techniques such as encouraging biological control, use of resistant varieties, and adoption of alternate cultural practices such as modification of irrigation or pruning to make the habitat less conducive to pest development. Pesticides are used only when careful monitoring indicates they are needed according to pre-established guidelines, treatment thresholds, or to prevent pests from significantly interfering with the purposes for which plants are being grown. UC San Diego promotes the following Best Management Practices for IPM: If pesticides are to be used, we use the least toxic, most effective, and most specific product. We use organic based products whenever possible. We have greatly reduced and try to eliminate the use of pesticides with the signal word "Warning and Danger". We have been and will continue to be on the forefront of sustainable landscape management. Landscape Services employs the use of mulch for weed prevention and moisture retention thereby reducing the need to irrigate more often. Landscape techs are also directed to pull weeds whenever possible to reduce the use of chemicals.