The city's approach to Integrated Pest Management or IPM is true to the original concept, that was developed by a group of professors at the University of California in the late 1950's in response to the "fast-moving pesticide treadmill" associated with the overuse of pesticides, particularly DDT after World War II. One of the biggest problems with relying on pesticides is that, in most cases, very little of the pesticide actually reaches the target, and instead ends up in the air, water, soil and affecting wildlife and people. Rather than focusing on one species, Ecologically-Based IPM considers the entire web of life within the ecosystem, working with natural processes to keep populations of all living things, including pests, in balance. Learn more about different aspects of IPM, what the city is doing and what you can do by visiting different program areas.
More information is available about the city’s approach to pesticide reduction.
Learn how you can apply IPM principles by using Sustainable Yard and Pest Management. You can support pollinators and biodiversity with a native plant garden. Resources are available at Pollinator Gardens & Pathways.