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What is IPM?
Integrated pest management
(IPM) is
a decision making process for determining what actions to take when
pest problems occur.  The
focus is on creating an environment that is ideal for healthy, sustainable
turfgrass, while at the same time inhibiting insects, weeds and disease.
Our IPM programs implement all available information and treatment
methods in order to manage pest problems effectively, economically
and in an environmentally sound manner.
What Does an IPM Program Involve?
Our IPM programs involve the following steps to ensure a healthy lawn,
and to also reduce or eliminate the need for pesticides.
- We educate our customers on how to water and mow their lawn in
order to create a healthy lawn capable of out competing weeds, tolerating
moderate insect feeding and rapidly recovering from any turfgrass
disease.
- We monitor the insect populations in your area, making note of
the size of the population as well as the stage ot their current
lifecycles. This allow us to forecast potential insect infestations
and prepare for them.
- If the insect or weed populations exceed, or are forecasted to
exceed an exceptable threshold, then control applications are recommended
or scheduled.
- We implement a variety of techniques to reduce weed infestation,
such as modifying irrigation and mowing methods to prevent weed establishment,
seasonly adjust fertilizers to minimize weed seed germination, and
recommend over seeding to introduce new, robust cultivars of turfgrass
capable of competing against any newly established weeds.
- Weeds are treated using injector systems which
allow the spot treatment of weeds and a significant reduction in
herbicide use. Applicators are trained and certified in the safe
handling and application of these products.
- Our programs involve regular visits which allow the evaluation
of our service and also allow the modification of a program to improve
results or deal with any new insect, disease or weed infestation.
Our goal is create a beautiful, healthy landscape for you to live
in, using the most advanced techniques available.
What Do Our IPM Programs Look Like?
Our IPM programs vary across Canada and the U.S., depending upon the
local climate, soil, grass types and prevalent insects, weeds and disease. We
also offer different programs to suit your budget and personal landscape
goals.
- In general, the programs consist of four to seven treatments and/or
inspections over a full season.
- Each treatment or inspection occurs about every 6 weeks.
- Weeds are treated using injector systems which allow spot treatment
of the weeds while significantly reducing herbicide use and exposure.
- Insect controls are applied when populations exceed,
or are forecasted to exceed acceptable threshold levels.
- Free service calls are offered on all our program offerings in
order to ensure good program performance and high customer satisfaction.
- Kelp Biostimulants are commonly offered to assist in summer drought
tolerance and recovery.
- Soil aeration is also commonly included in our premium programs
because of the dramatic effects it can offer.
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