Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is a more environmentally sound, information-based method of farming that uses preventative tactics and biological controls. The concept of IPM has been around since the mid-1970’s, and since that time, at least 77 definitions of IPM have been recorded (www.IPMnet.org/dir/).

As described in the ATTRA report linked below, critics of what might be termed “conventional IPM” contend that IPM’s original emphasis on understanding pest ecology and restoring natural balances in a farming system has been replaced by using pesticides as a tool of first resort. In other words, some definitions of IPM have evolved to justify the use of pesticides, rather than to examine and implement alternatives.

With this in mind, Protected Harvest has adopted a definition of what is termed “Biointensive Integrated Pest Management (BioIPM)” by the Consumers Union – considered to be the “highest level” of IPM:

“Biointensive Integrated Pest Management (BioIPM) is a systems approach to pest management that is based on an understanding of pest ecology. It begins with steps to accurately diagnose the nature and source of pest problems, and then relies on a range of preventative tactics and biological controls to keep pest populations within acceptable limits. Reduced risk pesticides are used if other tactics have not been adequately effective, as a last resort and with care to minimize risks.”

While many of the principals of IPM and BioIPM can be used interchangeably and have common guiding principals, to be certified by Protected Harvest, growers are required to implement certain BioIPM practices in order to accumulate the number of points needed for certification (as one component of certification). Visit our standards page to learn more about what is required.

There are many great resources for learning more about IPM. We recommend these articles and books as a good place to start:

What is Integrated Pest Management (IPM)?
An overview by Protected Harvest board member Cliff Ohmart

Biointensive Integrated Pest Management (1 MB PDF)
This publication from ATTRA outlines the concepts and tools of Biotensive IPM, and suggests steps and provides informational resources for implementing IPM.

Books on Integrated Pest Management