IPM Practices > Glossary

action threshold - the point at which pest control measures are applied to avoid economic, medical, and/or aesthetic damage.

arthropod - any invertebrate of the phylum Arthropoda, having a segmented body, joined appendages, and a hard shell composed of chitin including insects and other related organisms such as spiders, mites, and ticks.

biological controls - pest control measures that rely on natural controls such as pathogens, parasites, predators, and natural enemies. This type of control is largely limited to agricultural and ornamental pests, rather than structural pests.

bioremediation - in fly management, the use of microbes and enzymes to breakdown
organic substances in drains and plumbing lines, reducing fly habitat.

certification - designation that an individual has met specific standards of IPM competency and professionalism.

crack and crevice treatment - application of small amounts of chemical directly into cracks and crevices where insects, especially German cockroaches, hide and enter.

cultural practices - established activities used in IPM whereby one manipulates conditions within an environment to reduce or avoid pest presence and damage.

dusts - a pesticide formulation consisting of a pesticide active ingredient and a carrier such as talcum powder, corn cob, etc.

education - the process by which someone acquires knowledge and develops skills such as in the use of IPM techniques for pest control.

exclusion - a physical control method that prevents pests from entering a structure, for example, sealing cracks and openings (also referred to as pest-proofing).

good practice - using the preferred and/or proper way to control a pest in various situations.

harborage - an area or site that pests find suitable to live such as cluttered and unclean places.

higher-risk pesticides - refers to those legally registered materials and products that will control pests effectively, but are only used when non-chemical and low-risk pesticides have proven to be inadequate in the management of a pest problem.

inspection - the systematic investigation or otherwise looking for signs of pest presence, damage, and conditions that favor their survival.

insecticide baits - insecticides formulated with an attractant, either enclosed inside a bait station or applied directly to cracks and crevices. These formulations generally reduce potential chemical exposure.

integrated pest management - a systematic strategy of managing pests which considers prevention, avoidance, monitoring and suppression. Where chemical pesticides are necessary, a preference is be given to materials and methods which promote public safety and reduce environmental risk.

IPM practitioner - a person who specializes in the practice of IPM.

low-risk pesticides - those legally registered materials and products that control a pest effectively and posing low risk to people, children, pets, and the environment.

Massachusetts IPM Council - a voluntary alliance of representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the federal government, non-profit environment/public interest, pest control industry, and academia whose goal is to promote integrated pest management within urban and rural communities.

mechanical control - physical and/or non-chemical controls such as traps, barriers, caulks, and vacuuming.

monitoring - closely tracking or recording pest activity, density, and location.

multiple catch traps - mechanical devices that are attractive to certain kinds of pests, such as mice, that automatically reset themselves and can catch many mice.

pest-proofing - minimizing and eliminating pest entry and harborage in structures using materials such as caulking, steel wool, weather stripping, screening, etc.

perimeter treatment - a chemical treatment involving the application of a pesticide to the exterior surface of the foundation of a structure in order to kill and/ or repel pests.

sanitation - eliminating or cleaning-up conditions such as food, water, and clutter that attract pests.

sighting log - an ongoing record documenting specific information pertaining to pest sightings and problems such as date and location.

spot treatment - application of a chemical to limited areas usually not more than two square feet.

sticky trap - a non-chemical device that has a sticky surface which catches insects and/or related organisms. It is used as a monitoring tool to confirm the presence and identity of pests.

tamper-resistant - refers to the placement of pesticides inside a bait station to minimize exposure to children, pets, and non-target animals.

traps - non-chemical devices that catch or kill pests. These devices can be used for both monitoring and mechanically controlling a pest problem.

void treatment - an application of a pesticide, usually a dust, into both large and small voids throughout a structure where pests may be living.

Table of Contents

Introduction
Carpenter Ants
Small Ants
Cockroaches
Fabric Pests
Fleas
Flies
Occasional Household Pests
Rodents
Stinging Insects
Stored Products Pests
Termites
Glossary
Additional Resources