IPM is part of a total community ecosystem approach to gardening which promotes good management and stewardship strategies. These include, soil, water, air, nutrients, insects, diseases, landscape design, weeds, animals, beneficial organisms, weather and cultural practices. The goal is to manage problems at acceptable levels rather than attempting to eliminate them. In many cases, pest problems can be prevented by selecting the appropriate plant species for your particular site and providing the best possible growing conditions. Regular observation or monitoring of the plants in your landscape is critical in helping you to decide if a problem requires corrective action.
Many factors impact plant growth.
Too often, gardeners assume that plant problems are caused by pests and diseases. For example, insect damage may occur after a plant has been weakened by other factors including site problems, cultural practices or environmental and nutritional problems IPM is not a strictly organic approach to pest control. When necessary, chemicals are employed as a last resort. Broad spectrum residual insecticides should not be relied upon as the primary management strategy. Residual pesticides remain effective in the environment for days, weeks, or months impacting beneficial organisms as well as pests.