Integrated pest management (IPM) is a strategy that focuses on prevention and control of pest problems through a combination of techniques to help reduce dependence on pesticides, minimize the amounts of pesticide required for nuisance control, and use the least-toxic product that provides effective control.

A central guiding principle of IPM, with few exceptions, is that pesticides should be used to control nuisance levels, not as a method of prevention. Applying pesticides before a problem becomes evident often leads to excessive and unnecessary use of pesticides.

Pesticides are used only after monitoring indicates they are needed according to established guidelines.