What is Integrated Pest Management?
Integrated Pest Management, or IPM, is a comprehensive approach to the control of garden pest insects and diseases. It uses a variety of preventative measures, organic & natural controls, and minimal use of chemicals to controls pest situations that have traditionally been attacked with toxic petrochemicals. We break our approach into 3 types/or levels control: Biological, Physical, and Chemical. At Suburbanhabitat.com we believe that in a well balanced habitat, you should never have to use harsh & dangerous chemicals in your backyard.
SuburbanHabitat’s simple steps to IPM:
- Right plant, right place
- Be prepared to share
- Understand your problem
- Invite some friends to dinner
- Be Creative
- If you must spray, use CAUTION, literally
- Think Prevention
How do I read Insecticide & Herbicide labels?
Although Suburbanhabitat.com promotes IPM, sometimes the situation "on the ground" requires "weapons of mass destruction", so we feel it is important that gardeners be informed about the chemicals they use.
All chemical insecticides & herbicides sold in the United States are required to carry a specific safety label about the toxicity of their contents. These labels are very important. The label should be clear and on the front of the package. If you chose to use chemicals in your garden, always read & carefully follow the instructions on the product container.
Household chemicals will have one of three ratings: CAUTION, WARNING, & DANGER. Following is a brief description of the three classifications & how chemicals are rated.
DANGER - Indicates highest level of toxicity.
Chemicals bearing this label are considered very poisonous. Chemicals of this toxicity can be fatal with oral ingestion of less than a teaspoon. Danger labels will include statements such as these:
- Fatal if swallowed
- Poisonous if inhaled
- Extremely hazardous by skin contact (rapidly absorbed through skin)
- Corrosive (causes eye damage and severe skin burns)
Chemicals with the DANGER classification may carry an additional label of POISON if the chemical is highly toxic and carries additional risk if touched, ingested, or inhaled. When using such products, chemical proof gloves and a respirator should be worn.
SuburbanHabitat.com does not offer any products that carry a DANGER label, nor do we recommend their use due to their extreme toxicity to the environment and unintended organisms.
WARNING - Indicates moderate level of toxicity.
Chemicals bearing this label are considered moderately poisonous. However, ingestion of as little as a teaspoon of these chemically can still be fatal. Danger labels will include statements such as these:
- Harmful or fatal if swallowed
- Harmful or fatal if absorbed through the skin
- Harmful or fatal if inhaled
- Causes skin and eye irritation
While these chemicals are less dangerous that those labeled DANGER these products are still very toxic. If used, these chemicals should be used with care. Protect yourself, and be careful to only use as much chemical as required, and only apply to affected areas. SuburbanHabitat.com does not carry any products labeled WARNING, nor do we typically recommend their use, except for the most extreme cases where all previous remedies have failed.
CAUTION - Indicates a lower or slight level of toxicity.
This is the lowest toxicity rating a garden biocide can receive. This is the class of pest control products that SuburbanHabitat.com carries. However, we also recommend exhausting biological and non-toxic physical control methods first. Although many of these chemicals are not terribly toxic, you should still read the label and take care to protect yourself. Caution labels will include statements such as these:
- Harmful if swallowed
- May be harmful if absorbed through the skin
- May be harmful if inhaled
- May irritate eyes, nose, throat, and skin
Aphids!!! (and other bugs too)
One day a beautiful tender flower bud, the next, a disgusting blob of hundreds of aphids.
- Prevention is the key.
- Act fast.
- Hit 'em with the hose.
- Host a dinner party.
- Non-toxic controls.
- Spray if you must.
How can I control Slugs, Snails & Earwigs?
This loathed posse of night time bandits is made up of slow but voracious critters that are a concern of nearly every gardener. Shiny slime trails leading to cut, tender leaves is a sure sign of a slug/snail attack. Earwigs often feed off of the same food sources, leaving rounded, roughly cut damage on leaves. However, rather than leaving slime trails, Earwigs leave behind very small, dark feces pellets. The good news is that slugs, snails, and earwigs can be controlled with similar programs.
- Keep a tidy garden
- Invite them to dinner
- Protect your plants
- Night hunting
How do I control 4 legged & furry pests?
These guys tend to be tough to battle because they are elusive, smart, fast, and can wreak absolute havoc on an unprotected garden. For these critters you often must be persistent & creative. This subject is rich in "garden lore". There are an endless number of gardener favorite remedies that we could never hope to cover. But don't worry, we offer successful methods & pest specific products to help you turn the tide.
- Fence/screen
- Deter
- Share
- Trap
- Poison
What about Snakes in the garden?
Contrary to popular belief, snakes are ideal for pest management in the garden. Almost no snakes that you may find in your garden are a threat to humans or domestic pets. In fact, snakes prey upon many of the worst garden pests: insects, snails, frogs, mice, rats, gophers, moles, and even other snakes! Snakes have the potential to be one of the most effective pest eradicators in your arsenal!
The only exception to the helpful garden snakes are poisonous snakes. Although these snakes still have the potential to be great predators in the garden, many times, their risk outweighs their reward. However, even poisonous snakes can be friends of your habitat if you have enough space that they can do their business without posing a threat to humans or domestic animals. Most poisonous snakes in North America are "pit vipers". This classification includes: rattlesnakes, copperheads, water moccasins and the like. These snakes are typically easy to identify from a safe distance. Their key features include: An enlarged arrowhead or triangular shaped head, slitted "cat like" eyes, several holes or "pits" above the upper lip, and fat or heavy looking bodies. Rattlesnakes, obviously, have rattles on their tails. Do not ever handle or approach poisonous snakes. Try to let them be, and they are likely never to bother you. These animals are a much maligned, but very important primary predators in the wild, for they single handedly control rodent populations.
Overall, snakes are great friends of the garden. The vast majority of snakes you might find are not poisonous, and are great contributors to natural balance in the garden. If you happen to see one in your garden, you should feel lucky, keep your distance, and let it continue to do its job of eating furry rodent pests.
Are Spiders bad too?
While snakes fight the ground war, spiders protect the air. Nothing creeps out an uninformed observer faster than a big fat spider. Spiders are actually great predators that are happy to help with your flying pest problems. They will capture and eat: Flies, Mosquitoes, yellow jackets, wasps, moths, etc.
Give your spiders a chance to help you with your pest problems. Next time you see a fat spider, think, "It's good to see you eating so well".
For additional information on chemical hazards, exposure & treatment, visit http://www.aapcc.org/ , or call 1-800-222-1222
Integrated Pest Management, or IPM, is a comprehensive approach to the control of garden pest insects and diseases. It uses a variety of preventative measures, organic & natural controls, and minimal use of chemicals to controls pest situations that have traditionally been attacked with toxic petrochemicals. We break our approach into 3 types/or levels control: Biological, Physical, and Chemical. At Suburbanhabitat.com we believe that in a well balanced habitat, you should never have to use harsh & dangerous chemicals in your backyard.
SuburbanHabitat's simple steps to IPM:
- Right plant, right place
- Be prepared to share
- Understand your problem
- Invite some friends to dinner
- Be Creative
- If you must spray, use CAUTION, literally
- Think Prevention
At SuburbanHabitat.com we believe in a dynamic & effective, yet environmentally friendly approach to pest control. This means a careful approach that is specific to your particular pest that may include a wide variety of controls, but does not include the use of harsh unnatural chemicals that would threaten you or any other members to your ecosystem. In the landscape & nursery industries, this approach is known as Integrated Pest Management, or IPM. Below we cover both general & specific topics that should help you in developing an effective, creative, and non-toxic approach for handling pests in your garden. This area will continue to grow and evolve to provide you with the best and most current practices. So, check back often for fresh advice on new topics! If you have an additional question, feel free to drop us a line and we will try to help.