What is Integrated Pest Management?

It has been reported that 30 to 40% of the pesticide use in Florida is in urban areas. With its subtropical, humid environment, Florida is an ideal environment for insect pests and weedy plants. Our goal in the control of pests is to provide for the safest and lowest risk approach to pest problems. Many people today are looking for ways to manage weeds and pests with minimal or no use of toxic materials. The control of pests seldom relies on a single pest control practice. Rather, the decision to initiate control involves a combination of elements, including:

• monitoring
• knowledge of the pests, plant or animal hosts
• beneficial organisms
• level of damage
• and selection of the pesticide with the least risk to humans and the environment.

Together, these elements form the basis for the practice of integrated pest management, more commonly referred to as IPM. When everything is taken into consideration the decision may be to not apply chemicals. Although use of chemicals is not necessarily eliminated with IPM, control strategies that are least- or nontoxic to humans and non target organisms are emphasized.

This section of our website, therefore, focuses on IPM, providing some alternative pest control methods. It also highlights selected insects and spiders that are noticeable and problematic in our area. And lastly, to help with their recognition, it provides an image gallery of insects and other arthropods in Sarasota County that inhabit our backyards and landscapes. If you need help with insect recognition or pest problems, the IPM Coordinator and horticultural staff are available to assist residents and businesses with questions about identification and control.