For information on how you can implement IPM in your home or business, call All County Termite and Pest Control at 717-940-9029, or 610-400-8208. Our service areas include Dauphin, Chester, and Berks Counties Pa. Visit us online So what is Integrated Pest Management ? Well, simply put, proper Integrated Pest Management involves, inspection, identification, correction of conducive conditions, and application techniques targed to a specific pest infestation. The EPA describes Integrated Pest Management as follows: Because IPM focuses on prevention, it provides more effective, long-term control than a reactive, spray-based approach to pest control. It also reduces the need to use pesticides. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is an effective and environmentally sensitive approach to pest management that relies on a combination of common-sense practices. IPM programs use current, comprehensive information on the life cycles of pests and their interaction with the environment. This information, in combination with available pest control methods, is used to manage pest damage by the most economical means, and with the least possible hazard to people, property, and the environment. The IPM approach can be applied to both agricultural and non-agricultural settings, such as the home, garden, and workplace. IPM takes advantage of all appropriate pest management options including, but not limited to, the judicious use of pesticides. In contrast, organic food production applies many of the same concepts as IPM but limits the use of pesticides to those that are produced from natural sources, as opposed to synthetic chemicals. For a greater explanation from the EPA, click here A good example would be termite control. Proper IPM would allow for targeted treatment to infested areas, with treatment made to perimeter areas to control future infestation, especially in critical areas. IPM may involve dehumidifying as a solution to reducing pest harborage areas, since termites, carpenter ants, centipedes, and other insects thrive in high moisture environments.
When infestations are present and require immediate intervention, the safest, most effective methods available for the situation are chosen.
IPM follows a stepwise approach:
- Identification: The first step you want to take in solving a pest problem effectively and safely is the correct identification of the pest you are encountering. It is crucial to find out what kind of pest you have and where they are coming from. Since each pest has different habits, needs, biology and life cycles, its positive identification will lead to faster, more effective control.
- Prevention and Exclusion: Prevention of the conducive conditions that pests need is critical to obtaining successful control. In the case of rodents, ants and roaches, this can be accomplished mostly by eliminating the pests’ food, water and shelter. This means the clean up of food and beverages and their packaging and wrappers, fixing the leaky plumbing, and eliminating the clutter. Entry to a building or home by pests is prevented by caulking cracks and crevices, repairing screens, repairing drains and installing door sweeps.
- Monitoring: New infestations can be controlled best if spotted early. With IPM, pest populations are regularly monitored using glue traps. Pest sightings are recorded to document where and when the problems occur, making it easier to decide which treatment option is best.
- Multiple tactics: IPM typically uses several non-chemical tactics to deal with the pest. Pesticides are used only as a last resort and only by a licensed and experienced professional such as All County termite and Pest Control.
Be Careful ! Not all companies practice safe IPM procedures. There is a local company pushing for stink bug control. They state that they will spray the house "from top to bottom" and get into vents, chimneys, and cracks and crevices. Really ? You want someone spraying into your vents ? Your Chimney ? Never mind the fact that pesticides can become highly toxic when exposed to high heat sources. So before you hire someone to get rid of stink bugs, stink bug control using proper IPM should involve applying the pesticide in safe locations, and target harborage areas which are largely the warm sides of the home, south and west. IPM for stinkbugs also includes vacuuming of live insects, sealing entry points, and thinning surrounding evergreen shrubs, trees and bushes when possible. Call All County Termite and Pest today at 717-940-9029 or 610-400-8208
|