Effective Pest Management

Effective pest management embraces the principles and practices of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) with best management practices for pesticide storage, handling and application. Integrated pest management is a process, with the following four steps:

1. Diagnose the problem
2. Monitor the problem
3. Control the problem
4. Monitor the results

IPM encourages the use of preventative and control methods beyond chemical, such as cultural, physical and biological controls. By using IPM farmers can attain more effective controls, reduce costs and reduce the amount of pesticides used.

Best management practices for pesticide application will ensure the proper selection, maintenance, calibration and functioning of application technology. Such practices will reduce the risk to drift and off-site damage.

Proper storage and handling facilities and management practices help ensure:

• safety precautions are taken
• pesticides are secure from theft or vandalism
• spills and leaks are prevented or contained.

Pesticides should be stored, mixed and loaded using facilities such as the ones depicted here that will reduce the risk of spills, leaks, human exposure and exposure to livestock, pets and wildlife.

Pesticides should be stored in their original containers. Disposable empty containers should be triple-rinsed and taken to authorized container recycling centres. Bulk storage containers like those shown here reduce waste and are refillable.

Monitoring pest problems is a key step in the Integrated Pest Management (IPM) process. By applying IPM techniques, growers are able to reduce the amount of pesticide used.

Sprayer application equipment should be maintained and calibrated to ensure label rates are applied, drift is reduced and off-site damage is prevented.

For more information, refer to the following Best Management Practices books:

• Integrated Pest Management
• Pesticide Storage, Handling and Application
• Water Management
• Horticultural Crops
• No-Till: Making It Work
• Field Crop Production

Best Management Practices: A First Look