“Integrated pest management” (IPM) is a low impact approach to limit damage caused by pest infestation. An important core concept that differentiates IPM from more conventional methods is that IPM seeks to reduce levels of infestation to an acceptable threshold, rather than focus on total eradication. Focusing on reduction to acceptable levels allows for more judicious use of pesticides. Often times, the negative effects of a specific variety of pests are associated with a specific stage in the pest’s lifecycle. Monitoring the lifecycle of an infestation and applying appropriate controls that targets the pest only at the applicable point in its lifecycle allows for further reduction in the amount of controls required to prevent damage due to infestation. These concepts, combined with other light touch approaches, make IPM an effective low impact alternative to conventional pest control methods.

In this article we will focus on how to use IPM as a practice in in indoor environments, but these principles can also be applied to outdoor operations.

Identification and Monitoring

Monitoring is the most fundamental yet most often neglected activity in an IPM program. Monitoring involves documenting and observing the history of pest problems, past control measures (including their timing and effectiveness), and other pertinent information, such as weather conditions that will help you understand the context within which a certain pest problem is occurring. It is also important to know how a pest develops, i.e., its life history, because different life stages may be monitored and managed in different ways. Careful monitoring allows controls to be implemented only when and if required, which helps mitigate the harmful effects to humans and wildlife associated with overuse of pesticides.

After monitoring and considering information about the pest, its biology, and environmental factors, the next step is determining a course of action. Setting action thresholds will help determine if a pest is a nuisance, health hazard or economic threat, and whether a pest should be tolerated, contained or removed/killed.

Management and Control

The mains actions generally taken to control pests include mechanical traps, biological controls, chemical controls or behavior change. Mechanical traps range from rat pedal traps to cages that traps the pest after it enters it. Biological controls largely include the use of parasites, predators and diseases, including organisms such as a family cat to kill rodents or a parasitic wasp. Chemical controls include a multitude of compounds and range in toxicity. Behavior change can include tasks such as fixing a leak in the home to sealing holes in a wall. All of these methods are essential in IPM, with sometimes only one of these actions being necessary and sometimes all four (potentially more).

If all of these steps are ineffective, in may be prudent to hire a professional. If hiring a professional, make sure to inquire about the types of chemicals used, and ask for an msds sheet. Another resource when using pesticides or consulting with a company is ewg.org, which grades typical chemicals found in retail stores. This helps keep yourself as well as those around you safe.

Prevention

After an infestation has been mitigated through monitoring and targeted application of controls, prevention can help limit recurrence of the problem. For instance in a residential context, after an infestation of ants has been exterminated, practices such as caulking and weather sealing, combined with removal of substances which might act as an attractant can help prevent further infestation.

Why IPM Is Important

IPM recognizes both the importance of pest management, and the harmful side effects that can come with indiscriminate use of pesticides. Through the use of IPM we can limit both harmful pests and exposure to pesticides to achieve an optimal result in terms of the safety of our homes, waterways, agriculture, and the environment at large. It is easy to brush aside the risks and consequences that come with overuse of pesticides, we have all been tempted to spray an entire can of bug killer when faced with an infestation of ants or spider. But, it is important to remember that these substances can and do end up in our lakes, rivers, and oceans. Through IPM it is possible to achieve the pest control we need while limiting harmful consequences to ourselves and the environment around us.

More Information

Are you interested in recommendations about how to manage specific pests in your home or around your property? Click here to download some integrated pest management recommendations.

The text of this article was provided by the Pacific Northwest Pollution Prevention Resource Center. The PPRC “is a nonprofit organization that is the Northwest’s leading source of high quality, unbiased pollution prevention (P2) information. PPRC works collaboratively with business, government, non-government organizations, and other sectors to promote environmental protection through pollution prevention. PPRC believes that environmental and economic vitality go hand in hand, and that both are necessary to protect the high quality of life enjoyed in our region.”