Principles of Australian Integrated Pest Management System

The Australian Integrated Pest Management system revolves around six basic components. 

Control and not eradication

According to Integrated Pest Management, wiping out the entire pest population is not possible. The attempt can rather be unsafe and expensive. The IPM program thus gives emphasis to control and not on eradication. They first work to set up acceptable pest levels known as action thresholds and then use means of control when those levels of thresholds are crossed.

Prevention

Choosing things that are best for local growing conditions as well as maintaining the healthy crops is the first thing that’s done. Cultural techniques and plant quarantine like crop sanitation is the next thing. Beneficial bacteria and fungi are added to potting media of the horticulture crops that are vulnerable to the root diseases, reducing the requirement for fungicides greatly. 

Monitoring

Regular observation is very important. It may be in the form of inspection as well as identification. Visual inspection is used for monitoring pest levels and identification is essential for treating them. IMP also gives importance to record-keeping.
 

Mechanical controls

When pest infestation reaches an unacceptable level, mechanical methods are used as the first option. These methods include traps, barriers, hand-picking, vacuuming as well as tillage. All these methods disrupt their breeding. 

Biological controls

Natural biological methods and materials generally offer control with acceptable environmental impact. The primary approach is to promote the beneficial insects which parasitize or eat target pests.

Responsible use of synthetic pesticides 

Synthetic pesticides are only used when needed and only a certain times. There are many pesticides which are obtained from naturally occurring substances or plants. The active component in those pesticides is altered to offer increased stability or biological activity. Matching the technique of application to the pest, crop and pesticide is important. Low volume of spray minimizes the overall use of pesticide.
 

Historically, the main emphasis of IMP was on the agricultural insect pests but nowadays the program of Integrated Pest Management in North Shore are extensively being used for encompassing weeds, diseases as well as the other pests, which interfere with the management objectives for the sites like commercial and residential structures, turf and lawn areas, community gardens, home etc.