Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is a scientifically-based, worldwide standard for managing pests. It encourages the use of multiple and flexible strategies for the control of insects, weeds, rodents and other vertebrates and plant, animal and human diseases. The goal of University of Arizona (UA) IPM programs is the development and use of safe, sustainable and effective control methods that also increase farm profitability, reduce environmental and human health risks and protect natural resources for future generations.
Deeply engrained in the minds of experienced Western cotton farmers is the heavy whitefly infestation in Arizona and Southern California in the early 1990s which almost brought the industry to extinction over crop stickiness concerns. The challenge launched more research on improved whitefly control in the West.