Integrated Pest Management reduces toxic chemical use in landscaping, agriculture and gardening.
Landscape professionals
should understand the cultural requirements of the plants being
grown and the biology of the pest problems.
Certified IPM professionals develop knowledge about plants, insects and eco-friendly ways to balance all life forms in a site. They understand
how to
- develop a site survey and IPM plan
- improve plant health
through cultural strategies
- monitor pest populations
- maintain
records
- determine when pesticide use is appropriate in an integrated
approach
IPM Certification Programs provide landscape and turf managers with these IPM tools.
Landscape and turf professionals can obtain IPM Certification by completing approximately 30 hours of IPM training offered through Agricultural Extension programs in many states. In addition to basic IPM instruction, many programs require participation in hands-on IPM workshops.
Courses certified by the IPM Certification Program typically:
- Contain research-based information with practical application
- Promote minimizing harmful environmental effects of pest control
- Outline IPM strategies which utilize cultural practices, biological pest controls, and resistant varieties when available
