IPM IN A NUT SHELL
What is IPM?
IPM stands for Integrated Pest Management. It's an effective and enviromentally sensitive approach to pest management that relies on a combination of common-sense practices. IPM uses current and comprehensive information in combination with available pest control methods and products. IPM is used to manage pest control in the most economical way while focuses on the least possible hazard to people, property and the enviroment.
The IPM approach can be applied to both residential and commercial accounts. IPM takes advantage of all appropriate pest management options including but not limited to: the use of pesticides organic and/or synthetics, traps, home repairs, etc.
How does IPM work?
IPM is not a single pest control method. It is a serious of management evaluations, decisions and controls. In practicing IPM, pest control companies and owners are aware of the potential pest infestations and follows a four-tiered approach to control such iinfestations.
- Set thresholds for the pest(s) to be controled.
Before taking any pest control action, IPM first sets an action threshold. We established a point to which pest populations or enviromental conditions indicate that pest control action must be taken. Sighting a single pest dose not mean control is needed. The level at which pests' will either become a health hazard or damage any part of the stucture is reason to take pest control action.
- Monitor and Identify Pests
Not all insects or pests or other living organisims require control. Many of them are actual beneficial to the enviroment. IPM works to monitor and identify them to accuracy so that proper control decisions are made in conjunction with action thresholds. The monitoring and identification eliminates the possibilities that pesticides will be used when they are not really needed or that the wrong pesticide will be used.
As a first line of pest control, IPM programs work to manage your property against pest or insect entry by methods of removing exterior possible harborage areas, managing your watering on plants, shrubs, trees and overall landscaping, sealing and repairing any entry points such as broken vent screens or cracks and crevices on walls, windows, doors, etc.
Once monitoring, inspection, identification and thresholds actions indicates that pest control is required, and preventative methods are no longer effective or available, IPM methods evaluate the proper control method for efficency and rist effective, less risky pest controls are chosen first, including highly targeted chemicals such as pheromone to disrupt the insect ability to mate, mechanically control like trapping can also be effective. However, if the insect or pest population is not contained with these types of methods a more aggressive approach can be made with different modes of application including residual chemical applications, baits or granular compostion to aerosol products to control or eradicate infestations. This would be the last resort.
Pestfinders, 2024
