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INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT

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Integrated Pest Management

As concern for pesticides in the environment has grown, local governments have used Integrated Pest Management (IPM) to help reduce the quantities and toxicity of the pesticides they use in parks, buildings and roadways. IPM is a holistic approach to pest (including weed) management. IPM stresses the prevention of pest problems through design and maintenance practices and uses a range of pest management techniques, including biological, cultural and mechanical controls. Chemical controls are considered a last resort.

IPM in King County

In 1999 the City of Seattle and King County announced a strategy to eliminate use of the most hazardous pesticides by June 2000 and to reduce overall pesticide use on public lands managed by the city and county. This has been accomplished through the use of Integrated Pest Management, or IPM.

The 1999 Integrated Pest Management Executive Order required all King County departments to conduct landscape management activities in accordance with the Tri-County IPM Guidelines and to develop agency-specific IPM policies for their own operations. The King County IPM Steering Committee was established to coordinate pest and vegetation management activities across departments in a collaborative process.

Policies and guidelines

King County Executive Order on IPM

King County IPM Guidelines describe how IPM practices are used in landscape management.

Tri-County IPM Policy, Guidelines and Final Report details how the coalition formed in 1999 in response to the Endangered Species Act listing of Chinook salmon and summarizes its efforts.

Analysis and Ratings of Pesticides Used by the City of Seattle and King County includes the Tier Tables that rank the active ingredient in products for hazardous constituents.

City of Seattle Tier Tables

City of Seattle pesticide reduction program

Seattle’s Pesticide Reduction Program originally an element of the City's Environmental Management Program, is now being maintained by the Department of Parks and Recreation. The goals of the pesticide reduction program are to eliminate the use of the most hazardous herbicides and insecticides and to reduce overall pesticide use.

The City of Seattle manages more than 110,00 acres of public land; 12,000 of these are highly developed and managed grounds that include greenhouses, specialty gardens, roadsides and medians, golf courses, and hundreds of miles of electrical transmission right-of-way. Pesticide-Free Parks