Your landscape is home to many beneficial creatures that naturally prey on pests. Nature controls large insect populations through other insects and through animals that feed on insects. Spiders, lady beetles, wasps, big-eyed bugs and praying mantises are a few that depend on other insects for food. Birds, bats, frogs, lizards, certain snakes and toads also feed on insects. By encouraging these wildlife friends in your landscape, other controls may not be necessary.
Natural agents control diseases as well as insects.
For weeds, options include mechanical control, good management practices, mulches, or in some cases, simply accepting a few weeds in the landscape, which will greatly reduce your dependence on chemicals. An important part of IPM involves decision-making. You must first decide whether or not you actually have a pest that needs controlling. Perhaps with time, the pest will just naturally disappear before significant economic or aesthetic damage occurs. Sometimes pests can be physically removed.