Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is an environmentally friendly, common sense approach to controlling pests. The IPM principles and benefits described below apply to any type of structure and landscaping.
Traditional pest control involves the routine application of pesticides. IPM, in contrast:
- Focuses on pest prevention.
- Uses pesticides only as needed.
This provides a more effective, environmentally sensitive approach.
IPM programs take advantage of all appropriate pest management strategies, including the judicious use of pesticides. Preventive pesticide application is limited because the risk of pesticide exposure may outweigh the benefits of control, especially when non-chemical methods provide the same results.
IPM is not a single pest control method but rather involves integrating multiple control methods based on site information obtained through:
- inspection;
- monitoring; and
- reports.
Consequently, every IPM program is designed based on the pest prevention goals and eradication needs of the situation. Successful IPM programs use this four-tiered implementation approach: