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Integrated Pest Management For Your Home
Definition of IPM:
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is a decision-making process that
anticipates and prevents pest activity and infestation by combining several
strategies to achieve long-term solutions. Components of an IPM program may
include education, proper waste management, structural repair, maintenance,
biological and mechanical control techniques, and pesticide application.
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QUESTIONS: |
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ANSWERS: |
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How does IPM differ from traditional pest control? |
IPM employs and
approach that requires more participation by the homeowner to achieve
long-term pest control. |
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What does "integrated" mean? |
The use of two
or more pest management techniques (Inspection, Identification, Sanitation,
Cultural, Mechanical, Biological and/or Pesticides) to achieve established
pest management objectives. |
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What does an IPM service involve? |
An IPM service
requires time and effort to: inspect and monitor pest activity; employ
procedures; make suggestions for eliminating points of entry and resting
areas; and deter potential pest infestations and/or reduce existing ones. |
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What is your responsibility as a homeowner in an IPM program? |
Your continuous
involvement and participation are needed to implement your pest control
technician's recommendations for an effective program. |
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What is habitat modification? |
Home have
different microhabitats which provide food, water, and harborage for pests.
Decreasing the availability of suitable habitats for pest and denying access
into the home may control infestations. |
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Does IPM eliminate the use of pesticides? |
An effective
IPM program may include the use of pesticides. However, the amount needed
will likely be reduced. |
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When pesticides are used, how are they applied? |
The appropriate
use and application of pesticides are spelled out by the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency and others, and will vary according to circumstances. Your
pest control technician will tell you where and how pesticides will be
applied in or near your home. |
IPM Steps
- Inspection
- Identify Pests and Conducive Conditions
- Prevention
- Customer Consultation
- Sanitation, Exclusion and, if necessary, Pesticide Application
- Evaluation
- Monitoring
IPM Benefits
- Pest Prevention
- Customer Awareness
- Less Reliance on Pesticides
- Improved Home Maintenance
- Long-Term Solutions
- Precise Pesticide Application
- Effective and Environmentally Sensitive Protection
| Pest/Sites of
Pest Activity |
Habitat
Modification/ Sanitation |
| Carpenter Ants: Water
damaged wood; fenceposts; decking; firewood; door and window voids; attics;
utility piping; dead parts of trees and stumps; tree branches contacting
roof. |
Eliminate conditions that favor moisture
accumulation; move and aerate firewood; remove stumps and overhanging
branches contacting house as well as rotten railroad ties in landscape;
remove dead trees. |
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| Termites: Wood in direct
contact with the soil; stored newspapers and cardboard boxes; wood (e.g.,
tree stumps) and construction debris buried in backfill; fenceposts;
porches. |
Break wood-to-soil contact; remove scrap
wood and paper debris; improve drainage away from structure; inspect vapor
barriers; improve ventilation in crawl spaces. |
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| Cockroaches: Kitchens;
grocery bags; unrefrigerated vegetables; toasters; radios and TVs;
bathrooms; electrical and plumbing conduits; floor drains. |
Clean up spilled foods and water;
eliminate harborage and pathway areas by sealing or screening; repair water
leaks; increase ventilation; inspect incoming foods and packaging. |
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| Other Ants: Wall voids; gaps
under doors and around utility piping; house plants; cracks in pavement;
under landscape timbers, rocks and mulch. |
Remove food sources; seal all cracks and
crevices; locate and eliminate nests; correct drainage in house plants; seal
cracks in pavement and concrete slab. |
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| Fleas: Pets; wildlife;
neighbor's pets; carpets; furniture; pet bedding; yard. |
Vacuum carpeting and furniture; keep pets
in your own yard; proper pet treatment; remove wild animals from structure. |
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| Flying Insects: Garbage;
faulty plumbing; eaves; attics; light fixtures; wall voids; puddles of water
and other moist areas. |
Install or repair screens; change
lighting; improve drainage; remove garbage daily; keep trash cans clean and
tightly covered; repair cracks around siding, windows and doors. |
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| Pantry/Fabric Pests: Flour;
potpourri; spices, cereals; rice; beans; dry pet food; stored clothing;
woolen rugs. |
Inspect foods and packaging prior to
storage; store foods in glass/plastic containers; clean-up spilled foods;
rotate dry goods; store only clean cloths. |
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| Mice and Rats: Kitchen
cabinets; stored food; storage areas; wall voids; inside appliances;
closets; firewood; attics, garages; basements. |
Install physical barriers; eliminate food
and water; remove nesting sites; inspect incoming boxes. |
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| Squirrels/Bats /Birds:
Attics; garages; porches; eaves; exhaust vents; nearby trees; utility lines;
chimneys.. |
Install chimney caps and screens on roof
openings; remove tree branches in contact with home; repair holes in soffit
and along roof. |
Back to Pest Identification
For further
information contact
Contact:
Public Relations
Michigan
Pest Control Association
586-296-9580
Execsecretary@mipca.org
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