| IPM Practices
> Introduction
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is a systematic
strategy for managing pests that considers prevention, avoidance,
monitoring and suppression. Where chemical pesticides are
necessary, a preference is given to materials and methods
that maximize public safety and reduce environmental risk.
The IPM approach provides long-term solutions to pest problems
while reducing reliance on pesticides. Practitioners of IPM
view pest problems as symptoms of other conditions. Some problems
can be solved with non-chemical methods such as structural
repairs or by changing human behavior. When these activities
cannot solve the pest problem, other methods, including low-risk
pesticides are considered. IPM practitioners use the least
hazardous approach. Structural IPM can be described by five
general practices:
- Inspection and evaluation of the pest problem.
- Recommendations for structural repairs
and modifications.
- Suggestions to change practices to discourage
pest presence.
- Selection and use of lowest risk control
measures to solve the pest problem.
- Evaluation and discussion of results with
the customer.
Pest situations are extremely variable, and
while an IPM program for a specific pest includes essential
key elements, some practices may not be appropriate in all
situations. The IPM systems described here can be divided
into categories: Inspection, Cultural Practices, Treatment,
and Education. All categories are essential to a successful
IPM program. The practices listed here represent those that
a professional IPM practitioner should consider in solving
a pest problem. Practices that are experimental or require
exceptional effort by the practitioner are labeled advanced
practices. These lists of practices can be used to implement
an IPM system within a home, business or institution or to
evaluate profession pest management service under contract.
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
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