Urbana, IL – With summer gardens in full bloom across Illinois, experts are encouraging home gardeners to adopt Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies to tackle increasing insect activity.
According to the University of Illinois Extension, pests, weeds, and plant diseases are on the rise as warm weather sets in. IPM offers a balanced approach to reduce pest populations to acceptable levels using four main strategies: cultural, physical/mechanical, biological, and chemical. This method emphasizes prevention and sustainability over complete eradication.
Cultural techniques include proper plant selection and site conditions to encourage vigorous, disease-resistant growth. Physical methods might involve hand-picking pests or using barriers like netting. Biological controls rely on natural enemies such as lady beetles or parasitic wasps to reduce harmful insect populations.
Chemicals, the Extension warns, should be used cautiously and only when other methods are insufficient. When applying pesticides, individuals are advised to choose the least toxic product, read labels carefully, and understand what pests are targeted and how often the product should be applied.
Ken Johnson, a horticulture educator with Illinois Extension, highlights these practices in the new “Gardeners Corner” quarterly newsletter. The publication focuses on best practices for home landscapes and gardens throughout the region.
For more information, gardeners are encouraged to listen to the “Good Growing Podcast” and explore a statewide Extension map to connect with local experts.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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