Tuesday 29th March 2022
Integrated pest management is a strategy used to eliminate pest invasion through a combination of different techniques like habitat manipulation, the use of resistant varieties, and biological and cultural practices. And the best part is that it's a long term solution.The human habitat is usually under attack by different kinds of pollution, and pests also threaten the safety of human habitation. To combat this and have a safe environment for you and your plants, you need to implement the use of Integrated Pest Management.
IPM strategies need to be updated from time to time based on results gotten from management practices. If you aren't knowledgeable about IPM, you might need the help of agronomy services that specialise in pest and disease identification to properly know what strategy to use for your garden/home.
IPM Practices
Pest Prevention
The most effective way of controlling pest infestation is to prevent it from happening. In IPM, this method is called "physical control" because it involves you physically blocking off the holes or entrances pests can come use to invade your home.
For example, one sure way to prevent roach infestation is to repair broken window screens and close off any holes leading to the outdoors. Most insects are tiny and can easily squeeze themselves through very small holes, so you need to seal your home properly to prevent these unwanted visitors.
An additional IPM strategy is "general sanitation". Pests detest clean environments, and they usually pitch their tents in garbage cans, leaf clutters and stagnant waters. Getting rid of their conducive environment will prevent your home from being invaded. Make it a point of duty to thoroughly clean up your house frequently.
Monitoring
Monitoring and assessing a pest's behavioural pattern and reproductive lifestyle can help you prevent sudden invasion. Every properly trained IPM technician ought to do the consistent monitoring of pests. During this method, it's advisable to set small traps around the house, depending on the pests you're trying to get rid of. If your home has been invaded by rodents and rats, little traps set in hidden corners can help eliminate them.
Alternatively, your technician can place insect monitors around the house that'll update you on where there's a pest infestation – it could be in your room, the kitchen or bathroom. Proper monitoring should still be ongoing after treatment because it'll give you insights into whether the procedure is working and notify you of any early outbreak for pests.
Objectives Of IPM Techniques
- The understanding and management of insects to prevent multiplication.
- To reduce the number of pests in an environment. If pests are not managed, you can contract diseases from biting insects, which can be spread to your kids or neighbours.
Benefits of Integrated Pest Management
- The usage of IPM can save you a lot of money in the long run because some pest infestations can cause serious damage to your home. Despite it being more labour intensive than conventional pest control, the costs are generally lower over time because the underlying cause of the pest problem has been addressed. IPM focuses on prevention by removing conditions that attract pests.
- You can reduce environmental risk when you use IPM. How? Pest management usually comes with risks to the environment. The environmental risks of pesticides could affect air, soil, water and even humans. It can cause irritation or allergies to humans and even cause more dangerous effects that could lead to a nervous breakdown.
- With IPM techniques, you get to curb exposure to pesticides. The known alternative for IPM is the use of pesticides, and when overapplied or wrongly applied, it can cause health complications to you, your tenants and the public.
- IPM maintains the cost-effectiveness of using a pest control system.
- Decreases your need for pesticides as it has a variety of strategies that you can choose from.
- It reduces the residue hazards of pesticides.
The Steps Of Integrated Pest Management
Identification of Pests
You can't map out a plan if you don't know what pests you are dealing with. Mistaken identity will result in errors and wrong treatment, which can leave your home in a worse shape than before.
Understand Pest's Activity
Monitoring the population of pests constantly will let you know when there's a full-blown infestation that you need to bother about. Most times, pests aren't even sufficient in numbers to cause noticeable damage.
Pest populations are susceptible to change, and most times, what you think is a pest invasion could be just the passing through of a stray pest. Now, imagine implementing extensive IPM strategies to eliminate a pest that isn't even present in your home.
Certain pests can invade your home depending on the weather, so monitoring their activities will help you understand it better and know what treatment to apply.
Set Action Thresholds
A threshold is the point where you draw the line against further pest damage. You can set a threshold action using medical, aesthetic and economical criteria. For instance, soybeans help in defoliation, so having a few caterpillars around doesn't require unnecessary treatment unless it starts getting out of control. There are many models designed to pinpoint when economical damage becomes intolerable, and you can contact Dejex for help.
Remember that when you set your action threshold too high, you are allowing room for a more serious pest infestation, and at this point, there'll be fewer treatment options.
Choose The Appropriate Treatment Option
As long as the pest infestation hasn't reached a high level of invasion, there are several options to consider; however, prevention should always be the first step.
Evaluate Your Treatment Option
After implementing whatever technique you prefer, you need to monitor the results achieved to ensure it was effective. Like we said earlier, IPM is an ongoing process, but no further action will need to be taken unless pest infestation gets to the action threshold again.