Viewing post #1295314 by RickCorey

sooby said: ...
Rick, IPM does allow the use of pesticides, and not only "non-toxic ones". But they must be used judiciously and responsibly when they are necessary as part of a program that includes other methods of reducing pest problems. It is often said that in IPM programs pesticide use is only as a last resort but there's an interesting article discussing that statement here:

http://www.entsoc.org/press-re...

I liked the article's distinctions like "toxic to WHAT?" and "toxicity vs. risk" when used properly. (Quotes are only approximate.)

I also like points they made like: "Last Resort” vs. "carefully timed", e.g. it may be necessary to use pesticides before the problem becomes unmanageably severe.

Over-reliance on any one pesticide, or over-use, or misuse, can lead to significant weed resistance and other problems.

Maybe if IPM had been practiced more widely, starting decades earlier, pesticide use would not have as bad a reputation as it does. For decades, "use" often meant "over-use and mis-use".