What is Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and How Does It Work?

Pest infestation in your home or business can be a stressful ordeal. Luckily, there are various pest control techniques available. Integrated pest management (IPM) is a perfect example.

Integrated pest management (IPM) is a coordinated and harmonized approach to pest eradication that merges pest management and sustainability, minimizing negative externalities.

What makes it unique? IPM combines the life-cycle information of pests with how they interact with the environment. The information is used in tandem with an appropriate pest-control method, resulting in economical and socially friendly pest eradication.

4 Step Process of IPM

Integrated Pest Management is achieved in a succession of four steps:

1. Setting a threshold for taking action
   
2. Pest identification and monitoring
   
3. Pest prevention
   
4. Pest control
   

1. Setting the Threshold for Taking Action

The first step to IPM is to determine the action to take and set a level of pest infestation beyond which to undertake control measures. For instance, use economic repercussions as an indicator.

2. Pest Identification and Monitoring

Careful observation is crucial to pest identification. Some pests are beneficial in the long run and do not require eradication. Monitor and identify the pests to take the appropriate action.

3. Pest Prevention

Prevention is an important step in pest management. IPM incorporates a highly effective mechanism of pest prevention – select the right preventive tools and products for the job. For example, you can proactively use various products in the market to prevent squirrels and other pests from accessing homes, businesses, important electrical equipment, and other structures.

4. Pest Control

The last step to IPM is to assess the best pest control strategy within the IPM framework. Sample the different pest elimination products in the market and choose what suits your needs and type of pests.

IPM Control Methods

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) uses a variety of methods, and combinations of methods, to manage pests effectively. Methods for managing pests are grouped in the following categories:

Biological Control

Biological control uses natural predators, parasites, or pathogens to reduce pest populations. This method helps control pests while minimizing harm to the environment.

Cultural Control

Cultural control involves changing farming or gardening practices to make the environment less favorable for pests. Examples include crop rotation, proper sanitation, and planting pest-resistant varieties.

Chemical Control

Chemical control uses pesticides to kill or manage pests when other methods are not effective enough. In IPM, pesticides are used carefully and only when necessary to reduce risks to people and the environment.

Mechanical and Physical Control

Mechanical and physical control methods directly remove or block pests. Examples include hand-picking pests, using traps, installing barriers, and removing infected plant material.

Get Help from Critter Guard

At Critter Guard, our products effectively employ IPM procedures for effective pest prevention. Critter Guard understands the importance of IPM and offers several humane and environmentally friendly solutions to help prevent and control pests.

Our Line Guard and Pole Guard products are designed to deter rodents and other animals from accessing power lines and causing outages, while our BirdBloc solution is designed to deter birds from a designated area. To learn more about our humane pest control solutions, contact us today!