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On Target with IPM

What is Integrated Pest Management?

Integrated Pest Management is a system of pest control with a targeted approach putting the right pest control tool to work for each specific pest, time and place. The goal is to manage pests in a way that is beneficial to the environment, promotes human health and safety, and is cost effective.

What are the Benefits of IPM?

Integrated Pest Management can improve the efficiency and effectiveness of your pest control program and can reduce pesticide costs. While IPM includes the judicious use of appropriate pesticides, it also implies that pesticides will be used only if necessary. Each situation is carefully monitored, allowing the use of the least toxic pesticide that will effectively control the pest. This specific, targeted approach results in an effective pest control program, one that assures the correct amount of pesticide is applied, and that enhances safety and well-being.

How does IPM Work?

There are three steps in integrated pest management:

1. Identify and monitor the pests

IPM begins by identifying the pests in and around school property and monitoring the level of infestation. Accurate pest identification is critical. Each pest has a life cycle and certain environmental needs. Proper identification and monitoring makes it easy to select the most appropriate, cost-effective control available.

2. Determine an action threshold

This is the level of pest infestation and activity that can be tolerated. The action threshold for each pest is determined by the severity of the injury caused by the pest, site characteristics, health concerns and related to the pest and site user needs.

3. Take preventive or curative actions

Correct pest identification and awareness of the action threshold gives your pest management team the information needed to take action. IPM encourages the use of several pest control methods to create the best, safest pest control program. Among the IPM pest control tools available are: sanitation; structural repair and maintenance; watering and mowing practices; pest-resistant plant varieties; and judicious use of pesticides.