Which is not a step in an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program?

An Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program is designed to be a comprehensive and environmentally sensitive approach to pest control, focusing on long-term prevention and management of pests rather than relying solely on chemicals. Scheduled pesticide applications are not a core step within the IPM framework.

IPM prioritizes understanding and managing pest populations through various non-chemical methods first. This includes monitoring pest populations to determine the extent of the infestation, evaluating pest management strategies to see if they are effective, and identifying the types of pests present to tailor the management approaches accordingly. Each of these steps supports a more ecological and sustainable method of addressing pest issues by emphasizing prevention, monitoring, and action thresholds, rather than routine pesticide use as a primary control measure.