Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is a pest control strategy that uses an array of complementary methods whilst minimising the use of conventional pesticides. These methods include mechanical devices, physical devices, biological, cultural management and chemical management. Some of these methods include sticky traps for insects, physical barriers of entry to the crop, predatory species, crop rotations and hormone attractants.
These methods are done in three stages of prevention, observation, and finally intervention. It is an ecological approach which aims to significantly reduce or eliminate the use of pesticides.
Waitrose have strong links with the RealIPM Company who are working in Africa, the Carribean and Asia, directly with growers to develop and introduce methods of pest management that reduce the reliance of growers on conventional pesticides.
The RealIPM company provide training for growers and have had significant successes with World Flowers growers, particularly with the reduction of the use of acaracides (used against red spider mite) by replacing them with natural predators.