Using measures to prevent pests from becoming a threat is the first step of pest control. Once a species has entered an area and become established, eradication is far more expensive, and it is likely that greater resources will be required to control further spread. Prevention control techniques include installing barriers to keep rodents or insects out of crops, minimizing debris that could attract pests, and avoiding planting species that may spread quickly.

Cultural controls are deliberate practices that modify an environment aimed to reduce pests from establishing, reproducing, and spreading. For example, rotating crops interrupts the normal life cycle of insect pests by placing them in a habitat that is no longer hospitable.

Mechanical and physical controls kill pests directly or make an environment unsuitable for them. Setting traps for rodents is an example of a mechanical control. Physical controls include laying down mulches for weed management, removing invasive weeds by hand, or spraying a plant with water to knock off mites.

Biological control, or biocontrol, is the practice of using an organism’s natural enemies – predators, parasitoidsParasitoids An insect whose larvae live in, on, or with another organism at the host’s expense., and pathogensPathogens A bacteria, virus, or microorganism that causes disease. – to control pests and their impacts. For example, releasing ladybugs in a garden or greenhouse can help control an aphid infestation.

Chemical control is the use of pesticides. In IPM, pesticides are used only when needed and in combination with other IPM techniques. Pesticides are selected and applied in a way that minimizes their possible harm to people, non-target species, and the environment.

Remember, the label is the law!