Pests are populations of living organism (animals, plants, or microorganism) that damage or interfere with desirable plants or aesthetics, or impact human or ecosystem health. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is an approach that establishes a sustainable approach to managing pests by combining biological, cultural, physical and chemical tools in a way that minimizes economic, health and environmental risks.
The University of Central Florida’s (UCF) Department of Landscape and Natural Resources has adopted this Integrated Pest Management Plan for the grounds managed by UCF. The plan outlines procedures to be followed to reduce pest infestations by evaluating the biological features contributing to an infestation, thus improving ecosystem health. The plan is designed to comply with policies and regulations published by the Florida Department of Agriculture.
The plan addresses a four-tiered approach: prevention strategies; monitoring for pest; taking
action when appropriate (action thresholds); and identification of appropriate controls.
Objectives of this IPM plan include:
- Elimination of significant threats caused by pests
- Prevention of loss or damage of plant material by pests
- Protection of environmental quality
You can view the University’s current Integrated Pest Management plan here.