What Is Integrated Pest Management?

Science based and common sense

Integrated pest management (IPM) is a science-based, common-sense approach for reducing populations of disease vectors and public health pests. IPM uses a variety of pest management techniques that focus on pest prevention, pest reduction, and the elimination of conditions that lead to pest infestations.

IPM simply means (1) don’t attract pests, (2) keep them out, and (3) get rid of them, if you are sure you have them, with the safest, most effective methods.

Community and resident education are vital to successful IPM programs.

For IPM to succeed, environmental health specialists must take into account

• The behavior and ecology of the target pest or disease vector
• The environment in which it is active
• Changes that occur in the environment
• The activities of people who share the environment

An IPM approach works best when used with techniques that actively involve communities and residents in addressing issues that may contribute to pest infestations, such as home maintenance, sanitation, and housekeeping.

Components

Although IPM may include the use of pesticides, the primary components of IPM clearly separate it from pest control practices that rely exclusively on trapping and use of pesticides or poisons. Those five components are:

• Inspection/monitoring: routine examination of indoor and outdoor areas to identify if pests or vectors are present or if conditions exist that are conducive to pest infestations. A major inspection is done when starting an IPM program; regular inspections continue as part of a long-term commitment to IPM.

• Identification: If inspections reveal the presence of rodents or insects, determination of the type (species) of pest is critical for establishing effective control methods. For example, rodent control methods would be different for roof rats versus Norway rats.

• Establishment of threshold levels: Elimination of all pests may not be practical in many situations. Thresholds should be established by which enhanced control methods are used when pest populations reach a predetermined level based on potential health impacts or damage to property or the environment.

• Implementation of two or more control measures: The foundation of IPM is managing the environment to eliminate pest access to food, water, and shelter. Using control techniques that focus on eliminating at least two of these essentials that pests need to survive will result in substantial reductions in pest populations.

• Measurement and evaluation: Regular followup to determine whether treatments are successful and what should be done next. Evaluation is one of the most critical components of an IPM plan.

Advantages

IPM is a comprehensive, systems-based approach to pest management with the goal of providing the safest, most effective, most economical, and sustained remedy to pest infestations. IPM reduces the risk from pests or vectors while also reducing the risk from the overuse or inappropriate use of hazardous chemical pest-control products.