IPM Practices

Demetri Vlachos, IPM Specialist

The goal of IPM is to utilize a multitude of pest control strategies to be as environmentally sensitive as possible. IPM works through a combination of monitoring pest populations and life cycles, recognizing a point at which these populations are detrimental, preventing the populations from reaching that harmful point, and safely controlling these populations when they do reach a point of causing damage. Our goal when introducing an IPM program to V&P was to help provide a more sustainable environment for pollinators as well as provide stronger prevention for future pest problems. 

    One of the most exciting practices we introduced was the release and cultivation of beneficial insect populations in our nurseries. Biological pest control utilizes the release of a pests’ natural predators into the environment. These insects provide 24/7 surveillance and work not only in controlling current pest populations, but also in preventing populations from getting out of our control. As we began releasing more, we noticed populations of our beneficial insects thriving and our pest problems diminishing. None of this would have been possible without the restructuring of our pesticide use program. With an increase in awareness of our pollinators and beneficial insect populations, we have been able to maintain a balanced system where pest populations are far more manageable. 

    Through careful surveillance of what pests are present on our plants as well as experience of past pest problems, we can identify what the most effective predators would be depending on the time of year. Some plant varieties naturally attract specific pests, so if we are able to create and sustain a population of those pests’ predators in that greenhouse, we can drastically reduce damage and loss. The local Arizona climate can be a difficult one to manage especially when trying to create a livable environment, so it is incredibly convenient that our supplier of beneficial insects, Arbico Organics, is located just an hour away from our facility in Queen Creek. With quick and reliable delivery and consistently high-quality shipments, Arbico has been instrumental in the success of our IPM program.