Integrated pest management harnesses basic bug biology, new tech

The premise of integrated pest management is basic biology – bugs can, and often do, build immunity to pesticides, but they are never immune to other bugs. “Integrated pest management has a number of pillars, including using the biology of the insects, using cultural controls, using mating disruption, as well as selective insecticides. Currently, IPM in orchards allows us to reduce our use of broad-spectrum insecticides and encourage natural enemies in the orchard, as well as just improve the success of pest management,” said Tianna DuPont, tree fruit extension specialist for Washington State University Extension in Wenatchee. Nor is it only tree fruit.