Integrated Pest Management
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is an ecosystem-based approach to managing pests that prioritizes the health and safety of people, beneficial plants and wildlife, and the environment.
IPM uses a combination of biological, cultural, mechanical, and—when necessary—chemical strategies to prevent and address pest issues. In the Arboretum, our approach is to prevent pest problems whenever possible, tolerate them when they won’t worsen over time, and use thoughtful, effective interventions when needed.
This work is guided by the University of California’s Integrated Pest Management policy, which requires campuses to prioritize non-chemical methods, carefully evaluate risks, and use pesticides only when necessary to protect people and the environment. Learn more about the UC Integrated Pest Management Policy.
This long-term, balanced approach allows us to care for landscapes in ways that support both environmental health and the campus community.
Why IPM Matters
The UC Davis Arboretum and Public Garden’s purpose is to inspire human potential and help people and environments thrive. We are deeply committed to environmentally responsible landscape management and to sharing best practices in sustainable horticulture.
Our 70-year Living Landscape Adaptation Plan is guiding our landscapes to become climate-ready, helping us prepare for:
- Climate change
- Dwindling water supplies
- Aging plant populations
- Emerging threats to plant health
Weed Management
Weeds are by far the primary pest across UC Davis landscapes, and we use a variety of strategies to manage them.
Biological Control: Start with Design
We begin with thoughtful landscape design that encourages competition from healthy plants and reduces opportunities for weeds to establish. This is our primary form of biological control—using plants to outcompete weeds.
Cultural Controls: Create the Right Conditions
We focus on creating conditions that favor healthy plants over weeds by:
- Selecting the right plant for the right place
- Improving soil health
- Applying mulch
- Managing irrigation
- Reducing plant stress
Mulch is one of our most effective tools. It suppresses weed germination and makes manual removal easier.
Effective weed management also requires understanding each species’ life cycle. By targeting key stages of growth, we can reduce seed production and prevent spread. We adjust irrigation zones when possible to limit weed germination and design plantings to minimize future weed pressure using weed-free planting stock whenever possible.
Mechanical & Physical Controls: Hands-On Work
Mechanical and physical strategies include:
- Hand pulling
- Hula-hoeing
- Strategically timed mowing
- Weed eating
All lawn weeds are managed through mowing and edging.
This work is supported by Arboretum staff and more than 150 gardening volunteers each week, along with community members who participate in volunteer events throughout the year.
Weeds are collected and composted off site to minimize reinfestation.
Chemical Controls: Targeted When Needed
When other methods aren’t sufficient, we use targeted, low-risk chemical products applied by trained staff.
Some persistent perennial weeds—such as bindweed, Johnson grass, nutsedge, and Bermuda grass—are often only controlled through spot treatments.
Product labels include “signal words” that indicate toxicity. We limit our use to the least toxic effective products to protect staff, the public, and the ecosystem.
Mulching: A Key IPM Tool
Mulch plays a major role in our pest management strategy. By covering bare soil with organic material—much of it generated on campus—we:
- Suppress weed germination
- Conserve moisture
- Improve soil health
- Support beneficial organisms
- Reduce carbon impacts
- Divert waste from the landfill
- Mulching also enhances the beauty of the landscape and reduces the need for more intensive interventions, helping to create resilient, climate-adapted landscapes.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- What is Integrated Pest Management (IPM)?
- IPM is a science-based approach that combines multiple strategies—design, maintenance, monitoring, and targeted treatment—to manage pests while minimizing risks to people and the environment.
- Why does UC Davis use pesticides at all?
- Pesticides are used only when necessary, after evaluating other options. UC policy requires that non-chemical approaches be considered first and that pesticide use minimizes risk.
- How does UC Davis decide when to use pesticides?
Decisions are based on:
- Monitoring and assessment of pest issues
- Evaluation of risks to people and the environment
- Determination that other methods are not sufficient
This process is required under UC policy.
- Who applies pesticides on campus?
Pesticides are applied by:
- Trained UC Davis staff, or
- Licensed contractors
All applications must meet UC policy and regulatory requirements.
- Are pesticides used in campus landscapes safe?
- Products are selected and applied to minimize risk to people, beneficial organisms, and the environment, consistent with UC policy requirements.
- Will I be notified about pesticide applications?
- UC Davis follows applicable laws and UC policy for notification and posting. The campus is also working to provide accessible information about pesticide use, and practices may continue to evolve as UC policy is fully implemented.
- Why don’t I always see signs posted?
- Physical posting is required in certain situations under state law. In other cases, information may be provided through different methods as part of campus IPM practices.
- What does it mean when a pesticide is considered higher or lower risk?
- UC uses a tiered system to categorize pesticide products based on factors such as toxicity and environmental impact. These categories help determine how products are reviewed and used.
- How is pesticide use tracked?
- Pesticide use is documented and reported in accordance with regulatory requirements and UC policy.
- Who oversees IPM at UC Davis?
Oversight is provided through a campus IPM program, which includes:
- An IPM Committee
- An IPM Coordinator
- Ongoing review and guidance of pest management practices
- Who can I contact with questions?
- Contact the UC Davis IPM Program:
Email: [insert]
Phone: [insert]