3 Major Benefits of Integrated Pest Management

Too often, homeowners and businesses are reactive when they see or hear of a pest problem. A glimpse of a rodent or a story about squirrels causing powerline damage may drive action. However, you're only fixing a symptom, not addressing the cause.

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) will help you get to the heart of the problem. It employs common-sense practices, current research, and pest control methods to manage pest damage. At Critter Guard, we base our products and solutions on Integrated Pest Management. Keep reading to learn three of IPM's most significant advantages.

1. Minimal Environmental Harm and Maximum Conservation

According to the EPA, the purpose of Integrated Pest Management is to manage pests with the least possible hazard to people, property, and the environment.

IPM programs often use a multi-step approach, and environmental protection is foundational. Some of the principles are:

• Set Action Thresholds. IPM establishes a threshold in a pest population or an environment where professionals must take action. The sight of one pest doesn't necessarily mean you have to alter the environment.
• Monitor and Identify Pests. Not every creature is a pest. Many living organisms benefit the environment or at least cause no harm. This step requires accurate identification to determine the next steps.
• Prevention. This step means deciding how to manage the indoor or outdoor environment for pest control.
• Control. Once it's clear that the situation requires active intervention, IPM programs implement effective pest control methods.

An IPM approach seeks to cause the least minor damage and disruption to the surrounding environment while implementing the best control methods.

2. Reduced Need for Pesticide Use

It's common knowledge that there are significant dangers to pesticide use. Pesticide effects can be immediately toxic or have long-term consequences like cancer or air pollution.

A critical part of IMP is reducing pesticide use and only relying on the least hazardous pesticide as a last resort. It also depends on special protective measures to reduce pesticide exposure for living organisms and the environment.

3. Cost-Effective

IPM focuses on the root cause of the pest problem and prevention so that it will save on short-term and long-term costs. One small squirrel can destroy a million-dollar power transformer. IPM will use strategies like preventing access to overhead power lines.

Instead of catching the occasional rodent and spending money on traps and exterminators, you can stop them from entering your house or business in the first place.

Integrated Pest Management is a holistic, humane approach to mitigating current pest problems and preventing new ones. Stop your pest problem at the source.

At Critter Guard, we offer humane, preventative pest control solutions that are in line with the goals of IPM. To learn more about our pest control products, contact us today!