"Integrated Pest Management" involves studying what you're dealing with before reacting - and asking yourself if you are willing to live with it.
If you decide to take action, there are many at-home remedies. In dealing with slugs, Tom Kasper says "it's as simple as putting out a low pan with beer in it... that half-empty beer you've got sitting on the counter; now you've got a use for it."
The presence of Colorado Potato Beetles in smaller gardens can be dealt with by removing them by hand every other day.
For other pests, the solution could be as simple as giving your garden a once over with the hose.
There are organic options that can be purchased over the counter, but some of the most effective strategies for minimizing the impact of pests on your garden could be right at your fingertips. Take a moment to assess the situation, then react appropriately.
