At one time farmers believed that the only good bug was a dead bug. We now know that's far from true. IPM makes the most of nature's own arsenal. Often they find the numbers of good insects increasing fast enough to take care of the problem and to avoid chemical applications altogether. Researchers are breeding plants that are more resistant to insects and diseases.
Some plants are even capable of producing their own insecticides.
Advances in biotechnology offer new ways to modify plants to enhance their natural ability to withstand insect pests, diseases, and weeds. Pesticides are often essential parts of IPM strategies, but they are applied typically after field checks or other evidence indicate their use is necessary to prevent extensive crop damage. IPM has reduced pesticide use in some crops by as much as 70 percent. Research is making IPM easier to carry out, more effective and more reliable. This is important because IPM practices vary from place to place with differences in climate, growing conditions and soil types.