Illinois State University Integrated Pest Management Program

Type: Program

Status: Ongoing

Source File: http://www.greenteam.ilstu.edu/initiatives/grounds/pest.shtml

Description:

At ISU several methods of lawn care pest management are used based on the location, use, and needs of the campus. Because of our size and diverse usage, no one management program can be used for the entire campus. We are strong believers in using an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program for control of pests on campus and have been for almost two decades.

IPM can best be defined as a pest control program that uses several types of control methods that have little effect on man, non-target organisms, and the environment while keeping pests from reaching an economic injury level. The goal of IPM is to use a balance of various control techniques rather than relying solely on the use of pesticides. These include scouting to identify pests, manual removal of pests where appropriate, and establishing a tolerance threshold for pests. The proper and judicious use of pesticides is also part of the IPM approach.

On the campus of Illinois State University an IPM program is used on approximately 70% of the campus. The other 30% of campus which is treated as high maintenance areas, like the Athletic Fields, pesticides are used in different degrees depending on use and time of year.

Grounds Management made the decision several years ago not to use any organophosphate insecticides for exterior turf management on the campus.