Integrated Pest Management (IPM) framework
The Integrated Pest Management framework is used throughout this Guide to address management of insect, disease and environmental threats to urban trees in Arizona and New Mexico. While the definition below focuses on insect pests, general IPM management steps and controls are equally applicable to fungal diseases and environmental conditions.
“Integrated pest management (IPM) is a sustainable approach to pest management that combines cultural, mechanical/physical, biological, and chemical control strategies in a way that minimizes economic, health, and environmental risks (USDA–ARS, 2018).
When managing urban trees for insect pests, the following steps are key to a successful IPM program.
Prevention – Avoid insect pests through proper plant selection, planting techniques, tree maintenance, irrigation, and fertilization.
Monitoring – Regularly inspect your trees and shrubs for insect pests or signs of damage.
Identification – Be sure to correctly identify both the tree species and insect pests that are present.
Management – Select the appropriate IPM strategies for the pest, including cultural, mechanical, biological, and chemical pest suppression tactics.”
Source: Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Strategies for Common Insect Pests of Trees in New Mexico Guide H-174
Learn more here about the following strategies:
“Integrated pest management (IPM) is a sustainable approach to pest management that combines cultural, mechanical/physical, biological, and chemical control strategies in a way that minimizes economic, health, and environmental risks (USDA–ARS, 2018).
When managing urban trees for insect pests, the following steps are key to a successful IPM program.
Prevention – Avoid insect pests through proper plant selection, planting techniques, tree maintenance, irrigation, and fertilization.
Monitoring – Regularly inspect your trees and shrubs for insect pests or signs of damage.
Identification – Be sure to correctly identify both the tree species and insect pests that are present.
Management – Select the appropriate IPM strategies for the pest, including cultural, mechanical, biological, and chemical pest suppression tactics.”
Source: Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Strategies for Common Insect Pests of Trees in New Mexico Guide H-174
Learn more here about the following strategies:
- cultural control
- mechanical control
- biological control
- chemical control
cultural control strategies |
Cultural control strategies
Cultural control strategies make trees less vulnerable to insects, diseases and environmental threats by meeting plant needs, addressing signs of plant stress and informing the community of tree threats to increase awareness and tree protection. Examples of cultural controls include: Supporting plant health and vigor by adjusting watering practices and schedules to fit seasonal tree needs, fertilizing trees if needed, creating habitats for beneficial insects and correctly planting new trees Addressing negative environmental/cultural conditions that stress trees by moving sprinklers that spray trees, removing nearby plant debris to reduce habitat for pest species and painting tree trunks damaged by sun scorch or sunburn Engaging the public in tree care and protection by providing flyers about emerging insect threats, providing resources on pest management and providing guidance on correct tree planting and care |
mechanical control strategies |
Mechanical control strategies
Mechanical control strategies modify trees using equipment or hands-on actions to address damaged or diseased plant material and pests without using chemicals or biological agents. Examples of mechanical controls include: Cutting down and removing trees that repeatedly host high populations of pests or cannot be saved from fungal infections Using correct pruning practices to remove diseased or infested twigs and branches Correctly treating or destroying cut trees and pruned diseased/infested plant materials to prevent spread Using correct pruning practices to increase air circulation, light and heat in tree interiors to treat fungal infections Pruning trees strategically to reduce the potential of wind-throw damage Removing and dislodging pests by hosing off trees with high pressure water streams or applying sticky barriers to trunks to intercept insects Trenching between healthy and diseased trees to cut root grafts between trees through which fungal infections spread |
biological control strategies |
Biological control strategies
Biological control strategies use living organisms such as predators, parasites, parasitoids or pathogens to suppress pest populations, and to support the survival of these beneficial organisms. Major strategies used in biological controls include conserving existing natural enemies and maintaining landscape ecosystems in ways that support natural enemies and their activities, introducing and/or encouraging native enemies of tree pests if they are not already present, and introducing new natural enemies with the goal of establishing a permanent population if native enemies are not available. When using any of these methods, it is important to not disrupt beneficial enemies of tree pests with insecticides. Examples of biological controls include: Purchasing and releasing beneficial insect predators in order to increase their presence on a tree so they can enhance natural pest suppression Adding plants that provide nectar, pollen and nesting sites to support natural enemies of tree-threatening insects Releasing large numbers of pest predators to quickly overwhelm a pest population, knowing the released predators may not propagate and provide on-going pest control Introducing a fungal pathogen that causes a disease in an insect pest |
chemical control strategies |
Chemical control strategies
Chemical control strategies focus on using pesticides with the goal of killing or repelling insect pests or regulating or interrupting their growth. Pesticides include insecticides, miticides, fungicides, bactericides, herbicides, repellants and other chemical agents. Chemical controls may be needed if cultural, mechanical or biological control methods are not able to meet pest control goals. It is important to correctly identify the pest in order to select the most appropriate chemical control. When using chemical controls, use of narrow spectrum pesticides will help in avoiding damage to natural enemies. NOTE: Follow all cautions and instructions carefully when using pesticides. Get necessary training to apply pesticides and use certified professionals when required. Examples of chemical controls include: Applying pesticides to protect non-infested trees as a preventative strategy before damaging insects emerge and spread from adjacent trees Injecting pesticides directly into a tree trunk in order to concentrate systemic pesticides in a tree's vascular system so it can move more quickly through tree tissues Drenching a pesticide mixture onto the soil that surrounds the tree base so roots can take it up systemically into the tree Spraying horticultural oil at the right time of year and at the right time of day to suffocate insect pests |