Cultural, mechanical, biological and chemical controls are used in conjunction with each other to keep pest populations below levels where they would cause significant damage to plants. Cultural control methods work to make the plant competitive, while providing an unsuitable environment for the pest to feed, live, or reproduce. Examples of cultural control include good horticultural practices such as proper site location, planting a hearty cultivar or resistant variety, mulching, plant rotation, and proper maintenance. Mechanical control methods are used to exclude a pest from a particular area or location. Mechanical management can be as simple as physically removing annual weeds from a yard, stepping on a cockroach, raking diseased leaves, or washing aphids off a houseplant.
Biological control utilizes living organisms to reduce pest populations.
There are a variety of natural predators and parasites that feed on insect pests. When used properly and according to labeled directions, pesticides can be safe and effective at managing pest populations. An increase in understanding the impact of pesticides on the environment has renewed a focus in low impact pest management. Pesticides are a part of IPM when used sparingly and wisely. Effective pest management requires determining whether a pesticide application is necessary or whether the pest can be managed by other means.