When DDT was banned in 1972, animal populations had already suffered greatly from ingesting this toxic compound. The peregrine falcon nearly became extinct, in large part because DDT damaged their reproductive capabilities. Although traces of DDT can still be found in animal tissues, affected populations such as the bald eagle and the peregrine falcon are making a recovery. IPM involves blending several methods of pest control in ways that best address the specific pest problem at hand. Although chemical pesticides are used by those practicing IPM, they are applied only as needed and in conjunction with non toxic alternatives.
Natural pesticides provide a safe option, but have limited effectiveness.
Biological control of pests is also possible. This effective method uses predators, parasites or viruses to deplete pest populations. Physical controls such as trapping and collection can be utilized, but traps are expensive and collecting is labor intensive. Finally, interference with pest development and behavior is possible by use of juvenile hormones, sterilization and other complex species-specific methods. Perhaps IPM will replace heavy reliance on chemical pesticides as farmers and consumers become more aware of the deleterious impact pesticides have had on human and animal health.