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Bees play a critical purpose in the world , so it ’s troubling to see populations of wild aboriginal bee declining . bee pollenate thousands of works , including 130 different eccentric of fruit , vegetables , and nuts ; raise honey ; and brook biodiversity . Unfortunately , ninetypes of bee speciesare already on the endangered listing in the United States , with at least five extra species being see for inclusion . A deficiency of bees would be disastrous for ecosystem and agribusiness globally .

What is causing the diminution ? agree tonew research , pesticide use is primarily to fault . Scientists find a stiff correlation between pesticide use and declining sightings of wild bees , with pesticide causing sighted numbers in some metal money to drop as much as 56 percent . To help oneself solve this trouble , research worker are promise for more people to choose Integrated Pest Management ( IPM ) strategies instead of pesticides . instruct more about how IPM works and how you may follow up it in your home garden to helpprotect native bee population .

A bee pollinating a purple ornamental flower.

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What Is Integrated Pest Management?

Developed in the fifties to accost increasing environmental take brought about by the overuse of chemical controls like pesticide and insecticides , IPM continues to be touted by the Environmental Protection Agency ( EPA ) as an “ effectual and environmentally sensitive overture to pest management that bank on a compounding of vulgar - gumption practices . ” Although IPM lift from praxis in agricultural system , its concepts read well to home plate gardens as well .

The principal goal of IPM is to make do pests within passable demarcation line below the level at which a pesticide is necessary — not to rid of pests whole . This is attain by implementing cultural , biological , and physical controls through a four - measure process . Throughout this glide slope , scientists analyze information on the life story cycles of pests and their fundamental interaction with the environment to manage pest long - term without harm mass , prop , and the born environs , likenative beesand other pollinator .

Integrated Pest Management Involves 4 Main Steps.

IPM is a series of pest management valuation , decision , and controls , according to the EPA . For menage gardeners , an IPM approach starts with selecting the right-hand plants for the right region and environment and with good plant precaution . To address a pest trouble , follow this four - pace process :

1. Set Thresholds

Before hire any action , pose a threshold for determining when to use a specific pest control method acting . For example , control one gadfly does n’t mean it ’s time to take action at law . Evaluate the size , oscilloscope , and intensity of the pest problem so you could treat it successfully and safely .

2. Monitor and Identify Pests

IPM recognizes that not all pests require control . In fact , some pest are even good . By properly identifying pests and monitoring their activeness , you may make effective control decisions . In particular , this step helps assure that home gardener debar pesticide ( and damage to beneficial insect ) as much as possible .

3. Prevention

IPM focalise on preclude pesterer , which need removing conditions that attract them in the first place . In a home plate garden , such tactics let in reducing welter , removing trash , and seal areas where pests can introduce . Installing strong-arm roadblock , getting rid of overgrown vegetation , and bump off standing weewee can help outdoors as well . Other growing method acting likecrop rotation and the timing of plantingcan lower pest peril .

4. Control

If the previous steps betoken that plague control is indeed necessary , then IPM calls for trying the least risky gadfly control first . choice admit pest trapping , estrus and insensate treatment , or physical remotion . Targeted pesticide spray is the out-and-out last repair if the other approaches are not working . This tell IPM from organic farming or gardening , which limit the use of synthetic chemical substance altogether .

Implement Integrated Pest Management at home to do your part for native bees.

For IPM to be as effective as possible in your garden at controlling bad hemipterous insect while doing no damage to bees and otherbeneficial insects , keep the following peak in mind :

For more specific information on native bee and protecting their population by exercise IPM in your garden , contact yourstate Extension Service

This Is the Year for a Kitchen Renovation

A gardener weeding her vegetable patch in the fall using integrated pest management methods.

Photo: golero/E+ via Getty Images

Whether you ’re selling or staying , everyone can get something out of a kitchen update . Learn why we consider this refurbishment the Most Valuable Project of 2025 and how to stay on budget .

Small black insects sitting all over the leaves of a green plant.

Photo: paula sierra/Moment via Getty Images.

Ladybug feasting on aphids on a plant as a form of integrated pest management.

Photo: mikroman6/Moment via Getty Images

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