Reducing Risks
First Steps to Integrated Pest Management

The most effective strategy for controlling pests may be to combine methods in an approach known as integrated pest management (IPM) that emphasizes preventing pest damage.

In IPM, information about pests and available pest control methods is used to manage pest damage by the most economical means and with the least possible hazard to people, property, and the environment. Knowing a range of pest control methods gives you the ability to choose among them for an effective treatment.

Knowing the options also gives you the choice of limiting your exposure to potentially harmful chemicals.

No matter what option you choose, the EPA recommends following these steps to control your pest problem:

1. Identify the pest problem. This is the first and most important step in pest control— figuring out exactly what you’re up against. Some pests (or signs of them) are unmistakable—most people recognize a cockroach or a mouse. Other signs that make you think “pest” can be misleading. For example, what may look like a plant disease may be, in fact, a sign of poor soil or lack of water. Use free sources to help identify your pest and to learn the most effective methods to control it. These sources include library reference books (such as insect field guides or gardening books) and pest specialists at your County Cooperative Extension Service or local plant nurseries.

2. Decide how much pest control is necessary. Pest control is not the same as pest elimination. Insisting on getting rid of all pests inside and outside your facility will lead you to make more extensive, repeated, and possibly hazardous chemical treatments than are necessary. Be reasonable. Ask yourself these questions: lead you to make more extensive, repeated, and possibly hazardous chemical treatments than are necessary.

Be reasonable. Ask yourself these questions:
• Does your lawn really need to be totally weed free?
• Recognizing that some insects are beneficial to your lawn, do you need to get rid of all of them?
• Do you need every type of flower you grow, or could you replace ones that are sensitive to pests with hardier substitutes?
• Is anyone in your facility known to be particularly sensitive to chemicals?

3. Choose an effective option. Use the information gathered in Step 1, your answers to the questions in Step 2, and other guidance from the EPA and a pest control professional to determine which option you want to choose.

4. Evaluate the results. Once a pest control method has been chosen and implemented, always allow time for it to work and then evaluate its effectiveness by comparing pre-treatment and post-treatment conditions. Is there evidence of a clear reduction in the number of pests?

Weigh the benefits of short-term chemical pesticide control against the benefits of long-term control using a variety of other treatments, including nonchemical methods. It’s easier to prevent pests than to control them.

You may not need to worry about the four pest control steps just mentioned IF you make the effort to prevent pests in the first place. Pests seek places to live that satisfy basic needs for air, moisture, food, and shelter. The best way to control pests is to try to prevent them from entering a facility in the first place. You can do this by removing the elements that they need to survive. Indoor prevention Take the following preventive actions indoors:

Remove water. All living things, including pests, need water for survival. Fix leaky plumbing, and do not let water accumulate anywhere in or around your facility. Remove or dry out water damaged and wet materials. Even dampness or high humidity can attract pests.

Remove food. Store food in sealed glass or plastic containers, and keep kitchens clean and free from cooking grease and oil. Do not leave food out for long periods of time. Put food scraps or refuse in tightly covered, animal-proof garbage cans, and empty your garbage frequently.

 Remove or block off indoor pest hiding places. Caulk cracks and crevices to control pest access. Avoid storing newspapers, paper bags, and boxes for long periods of time. Also, check for pests in packages or boxes before bringing them inside.

Block pest entryways. Install screens on all floor drains, windows, and doors to discourage crawling and flying pests from entering. Make sure any passageways through the floor are blocked. Place weather stripping on doors and windows. Caulk and seal openings in walls. Keep doors shut when not in use.

Outdoor Prevention

Remove or destroy outdoor pest hiding places. Remove piles of wood that may attract termites and carpenter ants. Destroy diseased plants, tree prunings, and fallen fruit that may harbor pests. Rake fallen leaves. Keep vegetation, shrubs, and wood mulch at least 18 inches away from your buildings.

Remove breeding sites. Clean up pet droppings from yards; they attract flies that can spread bacteria. Do not accumulate litter or garbage that can draw mice, rats, and other rodents.

Drain off or sweep away standing puddles of water, which are breeding places for mosquitoes and other pests. Make sure drain pipes and other water sources drain away from your building.

Take proper care of all outdoor plants, including flowers, fruit and shade trees, vegetable and other plants, and your lawn. Good plant health care reduces pest control needs — healthy plants resist pests better than do weak plants. Plant at the best time of year to promote healthy growth. Use mulch to reduce weeds and maintain even soil temperature and moisture. Water adequately. Native flowers, shrubs, and trees often are good choices because they adapt well to local conditions and require minimal care.

If you decide that the best solution to your pest problem is chemical—by itself or, preferably, combined with non-chemical treatments—be aware that one of the greatest causes of pesticide exposure to humans is the use of pesticides in and around the buildings they live and work.

Anyone can buy a wide variety of “off the shelf ” pesticide products to control weeds, unwanted insects, and other pests. No special training is required to use these pesticides. Yet, many of the products can be hazardous to people, especially when stored, handled, applied, or disposed of improperly.

The basic steps in reducing pesticide risks include the following:

• Choosing the right pesticide product;

• Reading the product label;

• Determining the right amount to purchase and use;

• Using the product safely and correctly; and

• Storing and disposing of pesticides properly.

The results achieved by using chemical pesticides are generally temporary, and repeated treatments may be required. Over time, some pests become pesticide resistant, meaning they adapt to the chemical and are no longer harmed by it. This forces you to choose another product or method. If used incorrectly, pesticide products can be poisonous to humans. As a result, it is extremely important for you to take responsibility for making sure that these products are used properly. FSM