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Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
What is IPM?
Integrated Pest Management, or IPM, is an environmentally sound approach to managing pests such as insects, weeds, plant pathogens, and wildlife on farms and forests, in our communities, and in our homes. IPM relies on proper pest identification, monitoring, and combinations of pest avoidance and management strategies to protect people, crops, and the environment while minimizing reliance on pesticides.
Agriculture and Horticulture IPM
- Greenhouse/Nursery Resources (DACF Horticulture Program)
- Hemp and Cannabis
- Berries
- Livestock
- Financial Assistance for IPM: Technical and financial assistance for IPM is available through USDA Natural Resources and Conservation Service. Some resources are below. Visit your NRCS Local Field Office to learn more.
School IPM Program
- All Maine schools, both public and private, are required to adopt IPM policies and practices and appoint an IPM coordinator.
- IPM enables schools to manage pests through regular pest monitoring, effective communication, good facilities management practices, and combinations of smart effective tactics including pest traps, good property management practices, and selective use of chemicals when needed.
- With IPM, schools can protect human health and the environment while saving money.
Teacher Educational Resources
Why teach about pests and pesticides? Insects, weeds and other critters can affect people, our food and our environment in important ways. Teaching about IPM provides an engaging way to apply scientific concepts to everyday situations, including:
- How can we avoid tick and mosquito bites?
- Why are bees important?
- How can we keep pests from eating our school garden plants?
Lessons are organized by topic and grade-level can be used individually or as part of a unit.
- IPM Lessons
- Self-Paced Learning Modules for Teachers: Lesson 1 / Lesson 2
IPM Resources for Professionals
- Licensing and Certification (Maine Board of Pesticides Control)
- Early Career Certified IPM Technician Credential Program (Entomological Society of America)
- Yardscaping (DACF Website for Lawn & Turf IPM)
IPM Council
The Maine Legislature established the Integrated Pest Management Council to promote, expand and enhance integrated pest management adoption in all sectors of pesticide use and pest management within the State. Our mini-poster (PDF) describes what we do.
The Maine IPM Council is administered and coordinated jointly by the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry and the University of Maine Cooperative Extension. The Council is made up of 11 members representing a broad base of IPM stakeholders.