Integrated pest management (IPM) involves the use of selected control methods in order to keep pest infestation at moderate levels. The control methods you choose and apply usually match the severity of the pest infestation in your home or work spaces. As a popular method of pest control, integrated pest management has low impact on the environment and safe for humans.
The use of IPM in pest control might sounds like an easy approach. However, the IPM process makes use of a scientific methods in dealing with pest infestation problems. It is, therefore, important to engage a pest control expert in IPM methods to help you in picking the right approach.
The services of a professional guides you in checking the type of pest, suitable control methods and the suitable types of pesticides to use. Making use of professional pest control services will get you started and succeed in integrated pest management.
In the following paragraphs, you can know more about the concept of integrated pest management and why it’s better than the alternative options. You will also get information on the benefits you stand to gain when making use of IPM for pest control in your space.
How Integrated Pest Management Works in Pest Control
Balancing between Human Comfort and Need for Pest Control
IPM is based on the idea that pests have an important place in the ecosystem. However, they should be kept at a moderate level to allow comfort for humans.
Making efforts to entirely eradicate pests such as termites could result in frustration and an imbalance in the environment. In this case, IPM advocates for staying on the look-out for factors that enable the pest infestation.
Pest can gain entry into your home or business premises through cracks and openings in the area. These openings allow pests to gain entrance into your home or work environment and rapidly multiply over a short period of time.
Dealing with this kind of infestation as per the IPM guidelines could involve sealing-off cracks and crevices that pests could use to gain entry into your home or work space. Thus, IPM enables you to eliminate the entrance of pests through cracks, rather than use chemicals for treatment. Your goal is to create an environment that discourages pest infestation in the area.
Identification of Pests and the Infestation Levels
Staying on the look-out and realisation of pest infestation is not enough. You have the task of determining the type pests that have infested your area and the level of infestation.
Once you establish type of pest that has infested you property, you can decide whether it will increase beyond the possibility of control. Also, check for any damages that have already occurred as a result of the pest infestation. A common problem for public places is to eradicate birds, which carries around diseases and all kinds of germs that can spread to human.
Your observation is important for the next steps of decision-making. Some of the questions you can ask at this stage are: Can you tolerate the observed type of pests? Are the infestation levels severe or in the early stages? Is it necessary to make use of professional pest control services?
Your decision concerning pest control will be based on the observations made. Making the best decision in controlling pest infestation is based on the nature and quality of information available to you. Your choice is based on the observation and knowledge of the pest infestation.
IPM Involves Using a Combination of Different Pest Control Methods
IPM uses a combination of different pest management methods for greater success in eradication a pest infestation. In order to have the lowest impact on people and the environment, you choose a mix of different, but effective methods.
These low-impact pest control methods will result in favourable long-term pest control outcomes as compared to the use of a single approach. Some of the pest control methods to use are chemical, cultural biological, and physical.
In consideration of the IPM approach, it is recommended that chemical controls are used as the final result. When used in pest control processes, the chemical levels should be kept at the lowest level possible.
You can try to use alternative methods before turning to chemicals for pest control. Some alternative physical pest control methods can also achieve the desired results in eradicating pest infestation.
Some of the physical controls you can use include screens for control of birds and insects. The physical traps can also help you control rodents in the area. The cultural approach examines your daily life pattern and how it creates a conducive environment for pest infestation. Make changes to your routine practices and activities can give room or put away pests.
Why Choose Integrated Pest Management (IPM)?
IPM is one of the most effective approaches or eradicating pest infestation. Here are some of the reasons you should be using IPM in your pest control activities.
1. IPM Methods are backed by Research Evidence
The use of IPM takes a scientific approach in dealing with pest infestation. You can access relevant information regarding the types of pests and suitable methods for pest management, all based on solid research findings.
In some cases, you might need assistance in gaining clarity on the information about pests and pest control services. The use of professional pest control service providers can help you make sense of the information you have obtained through checking your home or work space.
The link between current and future IPM practices is a continuous one. Updated details on the types of pests and best pest control approaches are continually documented and released to the public. You can have confidence in the quality of information shared by the experts in pest management and control regarding IPM.
2. You can Measure the Economic Effects of Pest Infestation
Using IPM, you can measure the potential effects of pest infestation from an economic perspective. This relates to how the pest infestation could result in negative financial performance in your home or business.
The decision to adopt suitable pest management strategies is based on your careful evaluation of the potential benefits or losses likely to emerge from the process. Measurable levels make IPM a unique pest management method in eco-friendly environments.
Pests live as part of the ecosystem to the point where they need control. The need for control is marked at the level at which the pest infestation can be tolerated. Hence, the opportunity for you to observe infestation levels allows you freedom. Such freedom includes your ability to decide which level of infestation is comfortable for you or not.
3. Different Pest Control Methods Available
IPM enables you to choose from the different pest control option that are available. The options include chemical, cultural, biological, and physical controls. Each option has its benefits and limitations with regards to ensuring effective pest control.
Choosing one method over the alternatives enables you to promote the wellbeing of humans and the environment around you. Choosing the low-impact and highly effective pest control options will result in achieving the desired outcomes at home and in your business premises.
One example is dealing with bed bug infestation, where using extremely strong chemicals can harm your family in the long-run even after the bed bugs has been eliminated. With the advice of an expert like us, you will more likely be safe in addition to exterminating the pests.
4. You can save more while using effective pest control methods
IPM takes into account the importance of ‘indigenous pests’ and how you can use them to your advantage. These are predator pests that limit the growth of other pests. The eliminated pests can potentially be harmful to the environment.
Taking note and managing the indigenous pests can save you considerable amounts of money. This is the case where you are alternatively required to use chemicals in the pest control process. The continued and long-term control of pests that are indigenous to an area can help you maintain the right levels of the given pests.
Recommendations
The future of effective pest control relies heavily of integrated pest management. This entails understanding the role of pests in our ecosystem. Steps followed in the effective pest control involve maintaining the beneficial infestation levels. You can take advantage of IPM for effective management of pests in your home or work premises.
Having information on all the details of effective pest control can prove challenging. At this point, you can consider using the services of a professional pest control company. The company can share with you details concerning pest control from the IPM perspective. Further guidance from the professional service providers could entail sharing of information and requests for actual visits.
In the case of pests that are destructive to the living and working environment, using multiple pest eradication measures with low-impact on people and the environment will fit into IPM practices. Choosing low-impact pest control measures will help in stabilizing peoples’ living conditions and the wider environment. Minimal impact on the ecosystem will translate to lasting benefits through integrated pest management practices.
Talk to us today if you have any pest problems at home.
You can read more about Integrated Pest Management at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Integrated_pest_management.
