What does IPM stands for?

IPM is a very important name in the world of pest control. This is something that Pest control services should comply with, to provide services of uttermost quality. However, there is a problem. Most common people who hire pest control management services do not know about this at all.  This can expose you to the risk of being exposed and getting no work done.

In addition to being financially draining, this can also harm the ecosystem and property itself. Unfortunately, even today several local pest exterminators do not comply with the principles and methods of IPM. By learning more about this, you can save yourself from such companies and protect your property as well as the ecosystem surrounding it.

Therefore, this blog shall tell you everything you need to know about this “IPM” thing. You will be going through its definition, principles as well as working. With all this knowledge you will be ready to figure out who is an imposter and which is the right pest service for you. Thus, let’s get into it:

What is IPM?

The term “IPM” stands for Integrated Pest Management. This is a pest management approach that is effective as well as environmentally sensitive. It mainly relies on the mixture of various practices employed in pest control.

Moreover, IPM compliant companies used the most up-to-date information and knowledge of pest life cycle as well as their interaction with the eco-system.  Then this information is used with the latest methods and techniques to handle the pests most naturally and economically possible. With the same, they ensure the least possible harm to people, property, and the environment.

As such, Integrated Pest Management approaches can be used in both, agricultural and non-agricultural premises. This includes farms, homes, workplaces, gardens, barns, and so on.  Taking advantage of all appropriate pest management options, including judicious use of pesticides, IPM ensures the best possible outcome.

One can see that organic food production also uses several methods that are common with IPM. However, the latter one limit pesticide uses to several products. For instance, they avoid the use of the same in natural source products, as much as possible.

Furthermore, IPM is known for combining various fields. It used biological, cultural, and chemical practices to manage the pest in the required setting. The terms “Cultural control, Biological control, Chemical control” refers to the different methods used in IPM. These are defined below:

·         Cultural control refers to the non-chemical mode of pest management. This is achieved using manual or mechanical means to change the soil and crop environment to discourage pest establishment. This is often used in agricultural properties.

·         Biological control is when natural predatory or parasitic insects are introduced to the infested area. These are known as “beneficial” or “good bugs”. They help in controlling chewing and sucking insects that affect the quality and productivity of crops.  They do this by killing them or disrupting their breeding cycle.

·         Chemical control is the most commonly used method of pest control. It involves the use of pesticides to manage the population of the pest.  It is used in IPM when biological and cultural control fails or is not been enough to protect the productivity of the crop. Where chemical control is required, selective insecticides are chosen which target the pest, leaving the beneficial population unharmed.

 In addition to these methods, it also incorporates nature. What this means is that IPM often introduced natural predators as well as parasites to control the population said pests.

IPM prefers this natural medium over the other one. Thus, they refrain from using chemicals as much as possible and only do so when other methods fail.

However, one should not confuse Integrated Pest Management with something organic. As such, IPM is not against the use of pesticides or other chemicals. But it does recommend the use of the same only when needed.

IPM Principles

As with everything, the practices of IPM and those compliant with it, are governed by certain principles. These principles help Pest controllers design their methods as well as practices in the best way possible. Thus, in turn, ensuring the best possible outcome.

Therefore, these principles of Integrated Pest Management are, as mentioned below:

·         Pest Identification. Plus, identification of their hosts and beneficial organisms before taking any step.

·         Creating different monitoring guidelines for different species of pest that one might encounter.

·         Establishment of the threshold for action against specific pests.

·         Evaluation and implementation of control tactics.

·         Monitoring, evaluating, and documenting the results of pest control procedures.

Moving on, you shall be looking at the four-tier approach to IPM that is based on these principles. Thus, these are, as mentioned below:

The Four-tiered approach to IPM

Based on the principles of IPM, United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) has developed a four-tier approach to IPM. All of the practices and methods are to follow these approaches. Moreover, following the same ensures the most effective and economical pest control management possible.

These approaches are, as mentioned below:

1. Set action thresholds

The first step of this approach is setting an acting threshold. The term “action threshold” refers to a point at which pest population, as well as environmental conditions, suggests that action has to be taken.

Otherwise, pests will become an environmental as well as an economic threat. This also implies that a sighting of a single pest doesn’t mean that you have to get pest control. This ensures that pest control management services are only provided when needed.

2. Monitor and identify pests

The second tier of the approach concerns monitoring and identification of the pests that infest the said property. As such, monitoring and identifying the pest population and their behavior allows IPM experts to demine when the action threshold is reached. Thus, they decide the suiting measure accordingly.

A considerable number of the said “pest” is harmless in real life. They act as beneficial entities in several cases, thus don’t need to be dealt with. This step of monitoring and identification help in the reduction of risk. Plus, it also discourages the use of different pesticide type, as well as help, improve extermination strategies.

3. Prevent pests from becoming a threat

As you might have noticed all the approaches go hand in hand with each other. Because this is the actual goal of developing this approach and the overall function of IPM.

Nevertheless, the third tier of this approach ensures that pests do not rise to become a threat to the owner of the property or the surrounding nature. This is to be done while exposing the people and environment to minimal or no harm.

Moreover, as the saying goes “prevention is better than cure”, this method is more effective as well as less financially draining. 

4. Control

The fourth and last tier of the approach is “Control”. This is to be employed when the prevention method fails to do the work. Plus, it is used when monitoring, identification, and action thresholds suggest that pest control is the only way to stop the work.

Moreover, after determining the need, experts explore all the different pest control options available to them. In addition to this, IPM gives prefers the method which is least risky to the environment as well as the human population.

Control My Pest – IPM compliant pest control service

Understandably, it can be difficult to find IPM compliant pest control services. Experts from Control My pest uses the most eco-friendly and economical methods possible. This is because they refrain from harming the environment or the property affected by pest infestation.

As such, they can help you get rid of ants, cockroaches, flies, opossums, and many more. In addition to this, they also provide bed bug treatment. Using the IPM approaches, control my pest are the most trusted pest control service in the USA,

Moreover, they have helped the people of America prevent and control termites at affordable rates. These are the benefits of their pest control management services. All you have to do is reach out to their website and book and appointment. After this, they will give a visit and monitor the problem. When this is done, and the severity of the problem is determined, they will handle all the work.