Integrated Pest Management
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Integrated Pest Management or IPM is an ecosystem-based approach that aims to keep pest populations below the economic injury level, while minimizing risks to people and the environment. By carefully considering the available pest control techniques rather than defaulting to traditional practices, farmers can significantly reduce the use of pesticides and their overall exposure. This is not only a benefit to the environment—and potentially to the health of those applying such products—the over-reliance on pesticides has created its own set of problems, including pest resistance, pest resurgence, and lethal effects on non-targeted organisms (Duffor, 2001).
