IPM - Not a personal health problem

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is a method used to monitor plants and their health through out the season.  This method relies on regular "check ups' evaluating the plant health and looking for pests.  If pest/insects are found, the amount of damage resulting is evaluated and used to determine the amount of action needed to maintain a healthy plant.  The action that helps fight the pest with the smallest level of impact to the environment around it is chosen.  This helps reduce or eliminate the damage of the pest, while protecting the beneficial insects, surrounding plant life and human/animal life that could be affected.  Our own Nebraska extension office encourages IPM and maintains educated volunteers and professionals to help residential and commercial gardeners make the best decisions possible for pest control.