Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
King County and the City of Seattle have been incorporating IPM principles in their landscape management practices since 1999. IPM is a holistic approach to managing pests using biological, cultural, mechanical and chemical tools. Use the links below for details on our approach.
About IPM
In the fall of 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 was to be accomplished through the use of Integrated Pest Management (IPM). 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. Chemical controls were to be considered a last resort.
In King County, the 1999 Integrated Pest Management Executive Order signed by Executive Ron Sims required all county departments to conduct landscape management activities in accordance with the Tri-County IPM Guidelines as well as 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. The Local Hazardous Waste Management Program was designated to coordinate the efforts and offer technical assistance when needed.
Policies & Guidelines
King County Executive Order on IPM requires county departments to develop specific IPM policies for landscape management activities.
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 listing of Chinook salmon and summarizes their effort.
Pesticide Use
King County Exception Requests for using Tier I products for county vegetation management. These pesticides have been evaluated as Tier I due to the hazardous nature of the active ingredients (see "Analysis and Ratings of Pesticides Used by the City of Seattle" and "Tier table" links).
Analysis and Ratings of Pesticides Used by the City of Seattle and King County. Includes the Tier tables that ranks the active ingredients in products for hazardous constitutions.
Questions & Answers
Blackberries, Wasp removal, Weed wrenches
