Marin's Department of Agriculture / Weights & Measures plays an important role in minimizing pollutants in the County. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) principles reduce pesticide use and protect the health of the public and environment.
What is IPM?
IPM is a decision-making process for managing pests, which uses pest monitoring to determine if pest injury levels warrant treatment. If so, the treatment combines biological, cultural, mechanical, physical and/or chemical tools and other management practices to control pests in a safe, cost effective and environmentally sound manner that contributes to the protection of public health. This method uses extensive knowledge about pests, such as infestations, thresholds, life histories, environmental requirements and natural enemies to complement and facilitate biological and other natural control of pests. IPM involves the use of nonchemical pest control methods and the careful use of least-toxic chemical methods when nonchemical methods have been exhausted or are not feasible. When IPM is properly implemented, chemical controls are used only as a last resort. They are used as spot treatments and are chosen and timed to have the smallest negative impact on non-target organisms and the environment.
We are working to promote IPM principles in the following areas:
Agriculture: We have established detection, management, and eradication programs for pests introduced into the County, and IPM principles are used to contain and control the spread of pests. We have established a Weed Management Area in the County where pest weeds are removed mechanically and beneficial control agents are released to suppress weed populations through natural biological control.
County Parks and Buildings: Successful implementation of IPM programs by County departments (as outlined in the County IPM Ordinance and IPM Policy, which is overseen by the IPM Commission) has resulted in significant reduction in pesticide use. For example, the Marin County Civic Center cafeteria has eliminated liquid and aerosol pesticides; they now rely on reduced-risk products such as baits and traps and perform routine pest monitoring to prevent pest problems in the food service areas.
