Integrated Pest Management (IPM)

Spraying at Demeritt Hill Farm

Looking for evidence of apple maggots at Riverview Farm. These fake apples are sprayed with a sticky substance to trap flies that are attracted to its red color. There is also a pheromone tag located nearby making the sticky apple irresistible.

About Integrated Pest Management (IPM)

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is an environmentally friendly, common sense approach to controlling pests using careful monitoring of pests and weeds. IPM programs use current, comprehensive information on the life cycles of pests and their interaction with the environment to treat the problematic conditions that make pests appear rather than treating just the pests themselves since they are a symptom of the problem.

IPM tactics are used to try to suppress a pest population to an acceptable level, rather than trying to eliminate all of the pests, while minimizing the use of pesticides as much as possible.

Integrated Pest Management practices are in use at many farms of New Hampshire Fruit Growers. Some farms may spray the trees and bushes so you may see areas of a farm roped off until the designated wait time has passed. On other farms you might notice traps or screens or netting. Regardless of the method, the goal is the same: to provide visitors with a safe and delicious experience!