Integrated Pest Management (IPM) has been known for some decades but is often used and understood in different ways by different people.

In other words, all available control options (e.g. cultural, physical, biological, chemical) should be considered and applied reasonably by farmers. Nevertheless, IPM is not simply a toolbox and integration of control options. It also involves measures (e.g. prevention, monitoring, forecasting, early diagnosis) which help slow the development of pest populations. An important aspect in IPM is adequate decision-making for any interventions. All decisions should be justified both economically and ecologically. Therefore, management programmes with the regular application of chemicals are not acceptable in IPM. Instead, priority should be given to prevention and alternative control tactics.