Integrated Pest Management (IPM)

Typical Rose Care During Drought Could Harm Plants

A Guide to Controlling Insects in the School Garden

Integrated Pest Management sounds complex, but it can be thought of as doing all the “wise” things a gardener can do in order to grow a healthy, productive garden. You might not think that good soil fertility and proper watering are actions that reduce pests, but remember that healthy plants, just like children, don’t get sick as easily when they have proper nutrition and care.

Reminders for Gardeners for Managing Pests

• Harsh growing conditions tend to foster pests on your garden plants because the harsh conditions stress your plants. Try to anticipate what will stress your plants and try to take action to limit these stresses like overwatering, weed pressure, and lack of fertilizer.
• The FIRST step in dealing with any pest critter is to properly identify it. If you don’t know what it is that is hurting your garden plants – you can’t fight it!
• Choose the best practices that Master Gardeners often use to control the pests in your garden. The local master gardeners would love to share their insight.
• Your local extension agent is a great resource for you. Find out who they are and keep their number handy!

Remember: although pesticides are ONE tool in your gardening toolbox, it should not be the first that you use to combat garden pests. Incorporate the other gardening strategies to grow your garden, and then if all else seems to not be working to keep garden pests under control, then consider using pesticides.

A few resources in this section (Integrated Pest Management (IPM):

• The LSU AgCenter’s “A Busy Spring for Bugs” tells gardeners how to spot insect damage on plants. The article details several tips dealing with spider mite and thrip damage.
• The LSU AgCenter’s Publication: “A Guide to Controlling Insects in the School Garden.” This resource has many good reminders for the management of insect pest in one’s garden. It encourages the gardener to have a multifaceted approach to pest management. Anyone who gardens knows quite well that pests can quickly out-compete some of the best gardeners. Usually, one strategy is never enough. And, knowing the correct identification of the pest that is afflicting you and learning about it makes managing it more successful.