What is IPM – Integrated Pest Management
Integrated Pest Management is a process involving common sense and sound solutions for treating and controlling pests. You should have a Pest Management Professional help you with the following solutions which incorporate three basic steps:
- Inspection
- Identification
- Treatment
Your Pest Management Professional May advise you to make a few changes around your home inlcuding but not limited to:
- Keep tree branches and vegitation well trimmed and away from the house
- Stack firewood and lumber away from the house
- Remove old tires from the yard that can fill up with water and provide breeding ground for pests
- Clean out gutters and downspots regulary and thoroughly
- Keep windows propery screened
- If any food is consumed outside of the kitchen/dining room, remove dishes immediately after use
- Vacuum frequently
- Seal window frames
- Keep garage door closed to prevent entry by wildlife, birds and rats and keep clean of clutter
- Inspect boxes, grocery bags and other packaging to curb hitchhiking insects from entering your home
- Pull soil or bark muclh away from foundation to reduce termite infestation
- Seal food containers
- Avoide letting trash or recycling pile up in outside bins and keep them closed
- Store garbage in sealed containers and dispose of regularly
- Water should be channeled from downspouts away from your foundation
- Repair leaky pipes and hoses
- Seal up small cracks, holes and crevices in visible areas and hidden areas such as under kitchen sink
- Wipe counters and clean stoves to remove grease and food debris
- Seal up cracks and crevices especially around pipes and wiring
- Store pet goods in sealed plastic containers. Be sure to limit the amount of time the food is out