We're an independent 501(c)3 non-profit organization formed in 1998 to foster recognition and rewards in the marketplace for goods and service providers who practice Integrated Pest Management, or IPM.
IPM is an approach to managing pests that protects health and the environment, and improves economic returns. IPM practitioners in agriculture and communities learn pest biology and use that knowledge to reduce pest control costs and hazards.
IPM relies on inspection and monitoring - to detect and correct conditions that can lead to pest problems. They act against pests only when necessary, and use the least-hazardous methods when action is needed.
The Institute’s mission is to accelerate adoption of IPM in agriculture and communities by using the power of the marketplace: Consumers want to support suppliers of goods and services who work to preserve the environment and reduce health hazards.
Consumer support for IPM can be a powerful incentive for increasing IPM adoption in agriculture, grounds maintenance and public and private facilities! The number and size of eco-label and certification programs which use IPM as a requirement for participation continue to grow in response to participant and consumer demand.
The Institute is funded by grants from government, private foundations and industry, memberships and fees for services and programs. The IPM Institute provides services to ecolabel programs and others including IPM research, standards development, program management and inspector training and certification. The Institute operates certification programs for IPM professionals, schools and other organizations and IPM products and services.