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IPM Home Page l Mosquito Control Program l Noxious Weed Removal l Pesticide Hotline

More IPM Information

IPM Hotline ♦ IPM Controls ♦ City Activity ♦ Get Involved ♦ Pesticide Right to Know Law ♦ Reducing Pesticide Use

What is Integrated Pest Management?

Integrated Pest management (IPM) focuses on long-term prevention or suppression of pest problems while minimizing the impact on human health, the environment and non target organisms. 

For more information, please review the Integrated Pest Management Policy and the Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and Pesticide Use Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).

IPM Hotline

To learn where and when pesticides will be applied on city properties, see the online Pesticide Hotline.  You can also sign up for an RSS feed of the Pesticide Hotline page.  This means that, when set-up via your email, you will receive automatic updates as soon as the Pesticide Hotline Web page is updated.

This information may also be obtained from a recorded telephone hotline at 303-441-3400.

IPM Controls

IPM includes four types of controls:

  • Cultural controls eliminate conditions favorable to pests. Tactics include improving and amending the soil; choosing hardy, native plants for landscaping; mowing; maintaining clean sites and good water management.
  • Mechanical controls eliminate pests by physically removing them. Examples include hand-picking or rinsing (with water) insects off garden plants, or using an old-fashioned mousetrap in your home.
  • Biological controls use other organisms to eliminate problem pests. Applying ladybugs to plots infested with aphids is a biological control.
  • Chemical controls include pesticides. Pesticides are potentially hazardous and should be used with extreme care.

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City Activity

  • The City of Boulder manages nearly 40,000 acres of land in the Boulder Valley, along with numerous buildings and facilities. Every year, action is required in some areas to control noxious weeds and insect and animal pest populations. In 1993, the City of Boulder adopted an Integrated Pest Management policy to make city pest control operations more effective and less toxic. The IPM policy dictates that cultural, mechanical or biological controls be considered before using pesticides.
  • The Open Space and Mountain Parks Department uses controlled burning to restore natural conditions (controlling disease, exotic plants and insect pests); mowing and grazing to limit the spread of weeds; and the release of beneficial insects to control pest populations.
  • The Public Works plants medians with native vegetation; xeriscapes; and hand pulls weeds instead of spraying.
  • The Parks and Recreation Department uses an increased blade height for mowers, aerates turf and uses computerized watering to increase the vigor of grasses on city property. These activities limit the number of weeds and the need for herbicides.
  • The Forestry Division treats trees only for those diseases and insect pests that potentially threaten the life of the tree. Non-toxic insect traps and other alternative products are used for tree care.
  • The Housing Authority, in conjunction with the city, is working with residents to reduce conditions favorable to pests and testing products with lower levels of toxic chemicals.

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Get Involved

  • Using pesticides may seem to be the quickest and easiest way to get rid of weeds and insect pests, but there are many non-chemical options available that pose a reduced threat to our health and the environment.
  • Before choosing which controls to use, evaluate your attitude toward pests. For example, how many mosquito bites can you tolerate before spraying chemicals, especially when you consider that mosquitoes attract swallows and other birds to neighborhoods? Our perception of what is natural and healthy, versus what is uncomfortable or unsightly, helps determine the type of action we take.

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Pesticide Right to Know Law
The City of Boulder Pesticide Ordinance (Section 6-10-1 B.R.C. 1981) requires posting a notice on property where pesticides are used.

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Reducing Pesticide Use

How can you reduce pesticide use?

  •  Consider cultural, mechanical and biological controls first.  See some tips for specific types of pests.
  • Before using a pesticide,  research to see if there's a nontoxic method for handling your pest problem.
  • If you must use pesticides, use the minimum amount necessary to perform the task and follow label instructions. Try to use the least toxic pesticides first.
  • Buy only as much as you will need.
  • Take proper safety precautions.
  • Target the pesticide to the specific pests.
  • Avoid spraying on windy days.
  • Store any excess according to the label, or take it to the Household Hazardous Waste drop-off site. Call 303-441-4800 for information.

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Last Updated on Tuesday, 30 April 2013 11:56