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City of Fort Collins
 

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Integrated Pest Management#

The Parks Department follows an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategy. According to the EPA, IPM "is the coordinated use of pest and environmental information with available pest control methods to prevent unacceptable levels of pest damage by the most economical means and with the least possible hazard to people, property, and the environment."

The IPM strategy employs four common-sense approaches to effectively manage the pests. These are:

  • Thresholds for action
  • ID and monitor the pests
  • Prevention
  • Control

Please note that the term "pest" applies to animals, insects, and weeds. In the Parks Department, we have concerns with damaging insects and a variety of weeds. The State of Colorado Department of Agriculture requires the control of noxious weeds. You may access the noxious weed list at: Colorado.gov

The City assumes that all pesticides are potentially hazardous to human and environmental health. Therefore, reasonable non-pesticide alternatives shall be given preference over chemical controls by following the IPM procedure. City staff will evaluate alternatives to chemical treatment including the cost-effectiveness of the treatments.

Undeveloped Site Management#

The site may be undeveloped for many years. During this time the site needs to be maintained in a condition that meets requirements for such items as dust and weed control, stormwater management, and protection of environmentally sensitive areas, cultural, and historical sites.

Typically sites are in agriculture production for farming. Leases can be extended for farming to generate revenue. Environmentally sensitive areas on the site should be evaluated and proper adjustments to the site management made to protect these areas.

The site will be managed for weed or pest control by the following IPM procedures.

  1. Prevention - This is the most effective pest management strategy. By reducing the capacity of the ecosystem to support the target weed or pest populations through design and appropriate management, the opportunities for weed and pest establishment can be reduced or eliminated.
  2. Cultural - Cultural control is the use of management activities that prevent weeds and pests from developing due to the enhancement of desired conditions.
  3. Mechanical - Mechanical control is accomplished by using physical methods or mechanical equipment to control weeds and pests. Rough mowing of sites is the most prevalent.
  4. Biological - Biological controls include the introduction or enhancements of natural enemy populations to target weeds or pests.
  5. Chemical - Reasonable non-pesticide alternatives shall be given preference over chemical controls. Organic fungicides, plant growth regulators and insect pheromones are a few that are suggested. When chemical control of weeds or pests is necessary nonrestricted use pesticides are suggested. No restricted use pesticides will be used in park landscapes.