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Integrated pest management (IPM) is an environmentally sensitive way of managing pests. Through a careful approach to forward planning, regular monitoring and timely decision-making, an integrated pest management plan can be developed.

Integrated pest management is an ecosystem-based strategy that focuses on long-term prevention of pests through a combination of techniques. Highly regarded as a holistic approach to combating pests using a combination of preventative and curative techniques, integrated pest management only applies synthetic pesticides as a last resort.

IPM is an approach to combat pests and pathogens using a combination of sustainable methods, helping gardeners to become less dependent on synthetic pesticides. As opposed to pesticides, the goal of IPM is not to eradicate pests, but to manage them at low numbers within a healthy garden ecosystem.

Preventing Pest Problems with Integrated Pest Management

A key component of integrated pest management is preventing conditions which can enable pest problems to develop. Promoting and maintaining a healthy garden ecosystem can help to guard against the development of pest problems.

For example, a biodiverse range of plants and healthy, nutritious soil can encourage the development of a thriving garden ecosystem. Taking care to plant seasonal vegetables in the correct season can also guard against potential pest problems. For example, planting brassicas too late in Perth can result in pest problems when the plants flower as the Spring weather warms up.

There is a wide range of integrated pest management control methods.

1. Cultural methods 

Change the conditions to make them less favourable for pests, such as adjusting planting location, timing or crop rotation. Cultural methods may also include cultivation techniques which expose pests to predation or destroy their food, shelter and breeding habitats.

2. Physical methods

Prevent pests from entering the area using methods such as barriers and traps, or physically remove them. Fruit tree netting is an example of a physical method of integrated pest management. Using a hose to spray pests and remove them with the force of the water is also another example.

3. Biological methods

Suppress pests through the use of predators, parasites and microbial pathogens. The use of ladybirdsto control populations of aphids and other small pests is an example of a biological method of integrated pest management.

4. Chemical methods

Selecting the least toxic options first, it may be necessary to use substances to kill or repel pests. Apply only when needed rather than reaching for the spray bottle as a first line of defence.

5. Regulatory methods

Quarantine regulations that restrict the movement of seeds and plants can help to prevent the entry or spread of pests.

Using Ladybirds for Natural Pest Control Urban Revolution is the only place in Perth that you can purchase ladybird eggs for your garden. Beneficial bugs are a brilliant, natural, spray-free way to manage pests in your garden. Australian ladybirds are an exciting tool in the home gardener's natural pest control kit, and also provide the most wonderful hands-on home science lesson for children.

These much-loved beetles are amazing predators of aphids, mealy bugs, mites, scale, white fly, caterpillar eggs plus other insects. An adult ladybird can eat thousands of aphids during its life. Ladybird larvae are also ferocious eaters of aphids.

The ladybird eggs are bred in Perth by the Marvellous Minibeasts team.  Founder Danica McCorquodale is an entomologist and researcher at UWA. Prompted by a friend, she started breeding insects for education in 2020. She breeds the ladybirds in enclosures on the kitchen bench at her Como home and delivers fresh batches to Urban Revolution every Saturday morning.

Ladybird eggs are sold in small containers that each contain a clutch of 30-50 eggs. After purchase, take the container home and observe the eggs as they begin to hatch and change colour. Soon after hatching, the small piece of paper on which the eggs are laid can be carefully removed from the container and placed on a plant in your garden. It is important that the plant has a food source such as aphids, whitefly or caterpillar eggs for the ladybirds to eat. Customers have reported great success when placing the eggs onto roses, citrus and other plants with pest problems.

Pop in store to see these wonderful ladybird eggs and find out more. They will only be available for a limited time this Spring.

Planting for Pest Control

A wide range of plants are known to attract or repel pests, making them very useful elements in an integrated pest management plan. Here are some of our favourite integrated pest management plants. Let us know about your favourite plants for attracting beneficial insects in the comments.

Repellents

Attractants