The three step system is simple. Most gardeners conduct portions of I.P.M. as normal procedures in their garden. The overall concept is adaptable to home gardening. I.P.M. is not a panacea for all garden pests. Dogs, cats, and racoons may be considered pests by some gardeners, and are not addressed by I.P.M. STEP 1.
Most gardeners observe their plants.
I.P.M. suggests looking at the entire growing environment. For example, when digging soil to prepare a bed for sowing seed, look closely at the soil. Observations of the soil, plant, air movement, and general conditions are important. When changes occur in the garden, they will be more pronounced if you have carefully observed, studied, and made mental notes of the environmental conditions. To assist observations, sticky yellow insect traps may be used.