Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is a series of processes designed to control pests while minimizing further damage and avoiding negative impacts on people, other life forms, or the environment.

  IPM can be applied to protect anything threatened by pests, including crops, gardens, trees, and other living organisms. These processes should remain consistent regardless of what is being protected.

  For beekeepers, IPM is essential for effectively managing honeybee colonies. These processes incorporate the best practices for beekeeping and develop long-term plans to protect the colony. However, for an IPM to be effective, it must become a cultural norm within the beekeeping community or the location where the colony resides.

  Even though the varroa mite is often the primary focus of IPM, beekeepers must recognize that IPM addresses all threats to the hive. This includes hive beetles, wax moths, ants, yellow jackets, and even bears in some areas. Regardless of the threat, the process of developing an IPM remains the same.

  So, while some IPM plans may have six or seven steps to mitigate a threat, the entire IPM should have the same processes and be simple.