Integrated Pest Management

Integrated Pest Management (IPM).

Integrated pest management (IPM) balances economic and ecological tactics with chemical tools to effectively manage pests. IPM focuses on preventive practices first to reduce pest populations and minimize pest damage. The next step is monitoring for pests and their symptoms as the basis for deciding if and when to use additional chemical or biological control tools. And finally, practices have been described for the effective and safe use of tactics to control economically damaging pest populations.

Pest management tools may include mating disruption, cultural or biological controls, beneficial insects and the use of pesticides, when necessary. Newer, more targeted (i.e. not broad spectrum) chemicals and biological pesticide options allow almond growers to plan an IPM program that protects not only this year’s crop, but also the long-term life of the orchard and surrounding environment.

Successful crop protection also requires proper application. When performed correctly, pest control can be optimized, and growers can achieve reductions in wasted product and drift potential — not to mention greater returns and a reduction in environmental impact.

Follow the simple steps outlined in the Almond Board’s Application Quick Tips – provided in English and Spanish – to best avoid spray drift and achieve effective applications:​​​​​​​

Navel Orangeworm Mating Disruption Overview

Navel orangeworm (NOW) is the leading pest of almonds in California. The Almond Board has been funding research on NOW for more than four decades, working to address the management needs of growers and PCA’s. Two fundamental components of a sound integrated pest management program for NOW are trapping and monitoring, and the deployment of mating disruption. Trapping and monitoring allows for tracking of NOW populations in an orchard, while mating disruption reduces the population size throughout the growing season. This resource provides an overview of tools for NOW mating disruption.

The Almond Board of California has funded pest management research since 1973 in order to provide almond growers with science-based, IPM solutions for many pest problems. The results of these award-winning research programs are available to growers through this website as well as University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources publications and online pest management guidelines.

Additional Resources:

• UC IPM Pest Management Guidelines

• Seasonal Guide to Environmentally Responsible Pest Management Practices in Almonds

• UC IPM Integrated Pest Management for Almonds

• Almond Year-Round IPM Program