What You Need to Know About Integrated Pest Management

This article was crafted with the help of B.O.G. Pest Control.

For many homeowners, another summer means another battle of the bugs, and it can be difficult to decide which kind of pest control will be best for your home. Companies that offer integrated pest management (IPM) solutions give you the chance to choose the pest control methods that are most appropriate for your unique situation. We talked with Brad Leahy, vice president of B.O.G. Pest Control, about why companies that employ IPM-trained technicians stand out from the rest.

What Is IPM?

Integrated pest management is a collection of techniques and practices that pest control companies use to identify the most effective and least treatment-dependent way to solve a problem. “It’s finding the best possible solution without using any products or by choosing the best product,” Brad explains. “If we do have to use a product, that product would be the best one for that case and would have the least impact on the environment or the surroundings.”

Companies that use IPM techniques begin their treatments by thoroughly inspecting and monitoring a property to determine the cause of the problem; then, they return to the property with the tools they need. Some problems, Brad says, such as “garbage cans sitting in the garage, attracting mice” or “leaving your garage door open at night, letting bugs in” can be solved by simple behavior changes. Others require exclusionary measures such as “sealing up openings, putting door sweeps on the bottoms of doors, or making sure that screens are in the windows.” If routine changes and exclusion don’t do the trick, a pest control company will set traps or apply traditional or organic chemical treatments as needed.

What Does IPM Mean for Homeowners?

Since IPM methods help pest control companies tackle infestations and other problems in whichever ways are best suited to customers and their property, treatments by IPM-trained companies tend to be less dangerous for children, pets, and the environment. “We have organic choices depending on the pest,” says Brad. “We have some organic, botanical products that match the EPA’s standards for what they consider to be safe to be used around children and pets. We also have what they call reduced-risk products, which are targeted at only certain insects and won’t affect mammals or will have less of an effect on animals.”

Brad warns that since these gentler products require more frequent application than their traditional chemical counterparts, they may be more expensive in the short term. However, because long-term IPM treatments prioritize the well-being of the environment and aim to fix the source of the problem rather than just treating the symptoms, hiring a company that adheres to IPM principles is well worth the expense. Brad adds that technicians train for two years to learn IPM inspection and treatment methods, so companies that utilize IPM techniques show that they are invested in honing the skills of their technicians and giving extra consideration to every situation.

Integrated pest management comprises a variety of skills and approaches that prioritize the homeowner’s well-being and unique environment above all else, and pest control technicians use their IPM training to eradicate pest problems at the source. Get in touch with one of the many Pest & Termite Control Best Picks trained in integrated pest management to find the perfect solution to your pest problems once and for all.

Tired of bugs and pests? Find a local Best Pick® pest & termite control company near you now.

This article was crafted with the help of B.O.G. Pest Control, a Maryland expert in Pest & Termite Control. While we strive to provide relevant information to all homeowners, some of the material we publish may not pertain to every area. Please contact your local Best Pick companies for any further area-specific advice.