What is Integrated Pest Management?
You have probably seen a movie or a television show where a family home is infested with some kind of common pest, and a pest control company is called in to deal with the problem. Odds are you were watching a comedy, and the pest expert arrives in some outlandish garb, including a gas mask, and after a long and costly inspection tells the family that yes, the problem can be taken care of, but it’s going to take a lot of money, a lot of time, and a lot of “gas”. Usually the family will have to move out for a long time as well.
This is a far from accurate picture of modern pest control companies and the tactics that they employ to help people get their pest problems under control. Today’s pest control company is far more likely to employ educated individuals with a deep understanding of various household pests, the inconveniences or threats they pose to a household, and the best ways to get rid of them. A reputable pest control company will thoroughly understand the process of integrated pest management, and in this article we will outline what it is for you.
Integrated pest control
Integrated pest control is a method of pest control that arose out of the movement to limit the amount of chemicals used in our daily processes. Chemicals, of course, have long been known to cause harmful side effects; thus the need for the Griswalds or other comedic family to abandon ship when the spraying started.
Today, an approach which used a ground up level of understanding is proving to be both less dangerous and much more effective. Integrated pest control uses five basic steps in order to solve a household’s pest problem. Let’s take a look at them.
1) First, the company or the employee of the company gains an understanding of the specific pest, including its habits and biology. Understanding where a pest reproduces, its reproductive cycle, preferred diet, and vulnerabilities make it much easier to deal with.
2) The pest problem within the household is analyzed. This is an important step as it will determine what action needs to be taken as far as management goes.
3) An analysis of the control options. This will include both chemical and non-chemical solutions as well as a weighing of the positives and negatives of the proposed treatments; it will usually be done in consultation with the family being affected by the pests.
4) A management strategy is decided upon, and the actions put in place.
5) Once the control plan is acted upon, the results are measured and any necessary adjustments are made.
It should be readily apparent that this approach is much more scientific that the popular notion of “gas and go” pest management would have us believe. Following the steps of integrated pest control will mean that a household solves their problem quickly, with the least amount of interference and usually with the best possible, long term results.
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