Using Integrated Pest Management in Your Home

One of the best ways you can prevent pests, like rodents and spiders, from entering your home is by Integrated Pest Management. Integrated Pest Management often called IPM, is a green approach to preventing and controlling pests. When using IPM, homeowners and pest control companies work together as a team to control pests.

What is IPM?

IPM consists of five parts:

1. Inspection: Routine home inspections will help to find pests and identify any potential areas where a pest can gain access.
2. Identification: Different pests have different habits. IPM starts with correctly identifying which pests are sighted so that they can be removed without harming other organisms.
3. Establishing Thresholds: Is a pest’s presence a nuisance, economic threat or health hazard? Every customer may have a different threshold, and it is important for IPM, because it helps focus the size, intensity, and scope of a plan.
4. Two or More Control Methods: Often the right treatment is a combination of methods, from sealing cracks and crevices to removing leaf litter, to utilizing pest control products.
5. Evaluate for Success: IPM is an ongoing process, so constantly checking your property for pest activity will help protect against an infestation and help to get rid of any existing ones.

How Does IPM Work?

Integrated Pest Management focuses on stopping pests before they invade your home. IPM relies on the commitment of homeowners and pest control technicians working together as a team.

Instead of just eliminating a pest, with IPM, environmental factors are considered and used to determine the best course to take to prevent or get rid of pests. This can include:

• Sealing cracks/crevices
• Keeping counters/floors clean
• Using sealed containers for human food and pet food
• Using sealed containers for trash
• Keeping wood piles stored away from your home
• Reducing clutter
• Trimming tree branches and plants

With IPM, prevention is just as important as treatment. An experienced pest control professional can help identify any vulnerable points in your home or office and provide protective measures including capping your chimney and installing screens.

Advantages of Using Integrated Pest Management

There are several benefits to using IPM including:

Environmentally-Friendly

IPM techniques involve sustainable methods
Less pest control products used also doesn’t affect your soil

Safer

IPM focuses on applying other interventions before using pest control products
Minimizes chemical exposure for family and pets

Cost-Saving

Using products often may eventually lead to high costs

Fewer Pests

Using best practices and creating an environment that doesn’t invite pests, will lead to fewer pests in the long-term

If you’re interested in implementing Integrative Pest Management, contact your local pest control company. They understand pests and their habits. They’ll not only help with your prevention measures but will also provide you with highly-effective treatment options.