An IPM system is designed around six components:

1. Acceptable pest levels: The emphasis is on control , not eradication . IPM holds that wiping out an entire pest population is often impossible, and the attempt can be more costly, environmentally unsafe, and frequently unachievable.
2. Proper cultural practices: Selecting varieties best for local growing conditions, and  keeping them growing vigorously may cause them to be less susceptible to certain insects, diseases, and weeds.
3. Monitoring: Regular observation , Visual inspection, and  proper diagnosis are essential measurement methods used to monitor pest levels.
4. Mechanical controls: Should a pest reach an unacceptable level, mechanical methods are the first options to consider. They include simple hand-picking, erecting insect barriers, using traps, vacuuming, and till ing to disrupt breeding.
5. Biological controls : Natural biological processes and materials can provide control, with minimal environmental impact, and often at low cost. The main focus here is on promoting beneficial insects that eat target pests.
6. Chemical controls: Synthetic pesticides are generally only used as required and often only at specific times in a pests life cycle targeting only the infected area of the plant . Many of the newer pesticide groups are derived from plants or naturally occurring substances .