Integrated Pest Management, better known as IPM, is a multi-step problem solving system used pest management professionals for monitoring, understanding and controlling any pest issue. IPM is highly encouraged in pest control, particularly in an agricultural setting, where spraying can be very involved and has larger impacts on the environment and non-target species. That said, it is also a good practice for residential pest control in most cases as it can reduce chemical exposure for the homeowner, and protects beneficial insects from secondary poisoning. A perimeter home treatment is just one aspect of IPM, as it reduces the chances of pest infestation. It is best to pair it with the removal of conducive conditions.
Identify the Pest
The first step of IPM is to identify the pest. The three main pest types that homeowners will encounter are rodents, insects and arachnids. Rodents are typically defined as mammals that have teeth which grow for the entire duration of their lives. The root word for rodent is rodere, meaning 'to gnaw', which is an appropriate name for them, as they will chew on just about anything, even concrete and metal, to keep their teeth from overgrowing. There are 4 species of rats and mice that are considered to be pestiferous, and each will have mildly varying treatment regimens.
Insect and spider identification can be a greater challenge as there are millions of species; thousands of which live in Washington State. It takes a trained eye to be able to make quick distinction between different species, and sometimes requires the use of a microscope. With the help of a field guide, organisms may be identified, but without verifying it with a professional, you may be risking a misidentification which could cause unwarranted alarm, or conversely could result in a lack of concern in the presence of a more concerning species. Identifying the pest allows us to make educated determinations about the threat level that they pose and treatment methods that should be utilized.
Learn the biology of the pest
Once the pest is identified accurately, there are usually resources that are available for learning about their habits, and whether they pose a threat. Further, learning the biology of an organism can teach us about its preferred habitats and why we may be seeing it in our homes. Lifecycles are particularly beneficial to be aware of, as this provides a guideline for when treatment may be more effective, and when it would be a waste of time and resources. Insect eggs are particularly resistant to insecticides due to their protective coating. It is best to wait until the eggs have hatched to treat the insects and spiders when they are most susceptible to poisons.
Monitor Activity
Based on what is learned in the previous step, observations should be made to determine the extent of the pest activity. This step is typically more effective before the pest becomes a problem. For spiders and insects, glue traps or pheromone attractants may be tools that can tell us about the presence or absence of pests. For rodents, snap traps and bait stations can be used to understand population size. Glue boards should never be used for rodents for a myriad of reasons. Regularly checking these monitoring devices can provide clues that indicate an impending issue.
Establish a Control Threshold
At this point we ask, how many of each particular pest is considered acceptable? This varies a lot based on the pest, its location and what a homeowner finds tolerable. An individual may really like spiders and might prefer to have a few in the house instead of applying a spray treatment. However, the presence of any bed bugs is never something that should be tolerated. Treatment can always be applied in greater quantity later, but it cannot be simply removed after application.
Determine Proper Control and Management Procedures
When you are dealing with a nuisance or medically significant pest issue, calling a pest control company is the best thing to do. The professionals in this industry have the procedures for control and management already developed and practiced. We have access to materials and informational resources that are not as accessible by homeowners. Anybody can spray the perimeter and interior of a home with chemicals from the hardware store, but that doesn't mean that it will be done properly or safely. Additionally, many of those products can even exacerbate the pest issue. Pest control professionals are not so squeamish about entering and inspecting crawl spaces. We know what to look for and generally don't mind the dirty work that is required to effect proper control of pests. A good pest control operator will have effective and appropriate safety equipment to deal with the hazards of the crawl space.
Evaluate Results of Treatment
After a treatment is applied, it is beneficial to return to the site of application to study whether the treatment was effective, or if additional or alternative treatment may be necessary. Sometimes different approaches of control are necessary to achieve the desired results.
Summary
IPM promotes safety for the customer and the environment while also gaining control of a pest issue. IPM is better than the 'spray and pray' method because it actively seeks out creative ways of preventing pests from being a recurring issue. It also works in detecting pests before they become a significant issue, and ensures that pest control is conducted safely and effectively, while reducing the potential negative impacts of chemicals on the environment.
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