Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is an established, systematic approach to pest control that predates modern practices and involves thorough inspection, pest identification, and the application of multiple control strategies. Unlike traditional methods that rely heavily on pesticides, IPM includes considerations for economic thresholds and emphasizes the importance of sanitation, mechanical, cultural, biological, and chemical controls. Evaluating the effectiveness of implemented measures is crucial for ensuring long-term pest management success.

1. IPM Basics
In recent years, the term "Integrated Pest Management" and it's acronym "IPM" have
received much press in the pest control arena. There have been dozens of articles
written on the subject during the past decade. It has been heralded as the "new
approach" to pest control. Those who have been less than encouraging have generally
cited its lack of acceptance by the pest control industry. Neither view is correct.
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is neither a "new approach" to pest control, nor is it
practiced by only a limited number of pest management companies. It predates
recorded history and is practiced universally.
The IPM approach to pest management differs in several ways from "conventional" or
"traditional" urban pest control that relies primarily upon pesticide use. First, it is not
merely a reaction to a pest problem. It is a process which when followed, provides
effective control. Second, it considers threshold levels of pest presence. The third
difference between conventional pest control and the IPM approach is the application
of two or more pest management procedures to reduce or limit population levels. A
fourth difference is that pest management involves a truly integrated approach where
all pests are considered in the development of the pest management process.
INSPECTION
The first step in any IPM program is thorough inspection. There are several reasons for
inspecting the premises including:
● Determine the location of the infestation
● Determine the extent of the infestation
● Note damage to the structure or commodities
● Determine conditions conducive to the infestation
● Identify harborage areas
● Identify sanitation deficiencies
● Identify avenues of possible entry
● Identify items or factors which would impact program development
The inspection should be an orderly, organized procedure to determine the above
information. It should include all areas of the premises - both indoors and outdoors. All
levels of the structure should be inspected including attics, living or public floors,
basements, crawl spaces, etc. No area should be overlooked because an infestation
may have its beginnings in such an area or may, because of favorable conditions,
move into this area.
IDENTIFICATION
Before an effective integrated pest management program can be developed and
implemented, it is necessary to know the pest or pests with which we are dealing.
Identification is an integral part of any IPM program. This knowledge enables us to
determine what control measures to employ and when, where and how to employ
them. Without a thorough understanding of the pest and its habits, habitat, life cycle

2. and biology, we cannot be effective. In addition, several states require that any
chemical applications performed be for a specific pest and that this pest be listed on
the treatment record.
While the customer can often identify many pests by general categories such as
cockroach, fly, beetle or rodent; they are seldom able to make more specific
identification. Such specific information is necessary so that the proper management
program can be developed. The reason for this is simple: even though two pests may
be of the same group or family (cockroach, fly, etc.) their food, shelter and habitat
requirements may be quite different. In addition, the damage they may cause can vary
greatly. Similar looking beetles, for example, may damage wood members, stored
products, carpets and houseplants. Each would require a different control method. It is
important, therefore, to assure that proper identification is made.
Once a pest has been correctly identified, its food preferences, harborage sites,
behavioral patterns, biology, habits, potential for damage and options for control
measures may be determined. An important adjunct to identification is submitting
information detailing when and where the collection was made, and the name of the
collector.
ESTABLISHMENT OF THRESHOLD LEVELS
The concept of threshold levels originated in the area of agricultural pest control. The
pest population levels at which control measures are undertaken are called "economic
thresholds" and are based upon the value of the commodity (or its anticipated market
value), the amount of damage the pest population could cause, and the cost
associated with implementing particular control measures.
Although the cost of potential control measures in an urban setting can be determined,
it is difficult to assign a value to the economic consequences of an infestation. For
example, while the presence of cockroaches in some locations within a facility may be
tolerated, their presence in the food preparation or consumption areas would not.
Consequently, in this case, the threshold level would be zero. Occasionally, a pest
management decision may depend upon the cost of potential control measures as
weighed against the benefits received.
As a result of the above, urban pest management decisions are generally influenced
by three factors:
● health and safety danger created by the pest
● legal restrictions on pest infestation
● the levels of pest tolerance exhibited by the customer

3. EMPLOYMENT OF TWO OR MORE CONTROL MEASURES
It is at this stage of the pest management process that we see the true integrated
approach come into play. The primary objective of an IPM approach is to design a
program that uses more than one strategy or control measures.
The strategies chosen should be ones that are:
● least disruptive of natural controls
● least hazardous to human health
● least toxic to non-target organisms
● least damaging to the general environment
● most likely to produce a permanent reduction of the pest population
● easiest to carry out effectively
● most cost-effective over the short and long term
To qualify as a truly integrated program, at least two types of control measures must
be employed. There are many types of control measures available to the pest
management professional. These measures fall into several general categories based
upon how pest population suppression is approached and include habitat modification,
changing human behavior, employment of traps, caulks, etc. and pesticide
applications. They may be grouped into five major pest control types:
SANITATION
No other non-chemical control measure can have a more beneficial effect than
sanitation. It is the elimination of pest harborages, water and food sources so as to
inhibit the survival of pests and requires the cooperation of the customer who is
normally the one who provides the sanitary measures. To be effective in the use of
other pest management procedures (i.e.: mechanical, cultural, biological and
chemical), it is first necessary to ensure sanitation is addressed.
MECHANICAL
Mechanical, or physical control involves the use of traps, caulks, seals or barriers to
prevent pests from entering, establishing and living in an undesired location. It may
include any or all of the measures listed below:
● excluding (pest proofing) pests using barriers, including screens, seals, nets and
caulking
● manually removing pests using hands, snares or by vacuuming
● setting traps, including sticky, electric, light, multiple catch and snap types
● the use of heat or cold to destroy pests
CULTURAL
Cultural control involves manipulation of the pest's environment to make it less
favorable for the pest to exist. It may also be referred to as habitat modification or
environmental alteration. To accomplish this, the customer may have to change some

4. of their normal practices or habits and thus make it harder for the pest populations to
become established or to spread.
BIOLOGICAL
Biological control is the use of parasites, predators, or pathogens to control or manage
pests. When available or sufficiently developed, biological control strategies tend to be
among the least environmentally disruptive pest control measures. Nematodes,
fungus, parasitic wasps, and even IGR's are all examples of biological control agents in
the urban arena.
CHEMICAL
The final type of control measure is chemical. It should be the last control measure to
be considered when developing an integrated pest management program although
there may be times when pesticides will have to be the first control strategy used
because of the immediate need to significantly reduce or eliminate a pest population.
This in no way implies that pesticides may not be an important part of your program. It
does imply, however, that they should be thought of as one of several control
measures available.
EVALUATION OF EFFECTIVENESS
The final step in the Integrated Pest Management process is the evaluation of
effectiveness. Follow-up inspections enable the pest management professional to
assess and adjust the control measures that have been employed. There are several
reasons for reinspecting the account:
● Determine effectiveness of previous procedures
● Identify areas overlooked
● Eliminate entry points
● Enhance program effectiveness
● Reapply or revise any pest management procedures as appropriate
● Maintain good customer relations and satisfaction
THE IPM TEMPLATE
The IPM template is a formula with which the pest management professional can
determine the appropriate control measures to use. It may be expressed using the
following formula:
Account Type + Pest(s) - Restrictions = Control Measures
The key components of the formula are the account type, the pest or pests for which
control is desired, and any restrictions imposed by various factors including the
customer, environmental and legal restrictions. The result is the appropriate control
measure or measures to be employed.