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Common pests can cause serious health problems! Pests such as weeds,
cockroaches and rodents, as well as the chemicals we use to control
them, can cause and trigger allergies and asthma by contaminating
our air indoors.
What is IPM?
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is a method that focuses on knowing
the pest in order to prevent pests from getting out of control.
IPM is safer because non-chemical methods are the first line of
defense. If chemicals must be used, always choose less hazardous
products. Be sure to read warning labels before using any chemical
products.
Use IPM to eliminate pests safely
Step One: Find out what kind of pests you have and where
they are coming from. Each pest has different habits so it's important
to "know your enemy!" For rodents and roaches, sticky traps can
tell you what and where they are.
Step Two: All pests look for food, water and shelter. If
you understand what they want, you can take it away. This is the
most important step in IPM and prevention!
- Keep living areas clean and uncluttered.
- Put food in tightly sealed containers.
- Keep trash in a closed container.
- Fix plumbing or water leaks
- Seal entry points such as gaps in walls, pipes, pavement and
other surfaces using caulking, steel wool, or other pest-proof
materials for.
Step Three: Use traps and baits first, along with less-toxic
dusts such as boric acid.
- Put the bait close to the pest's hiding place.
- Do not spray any pesticides. This will keep the pests away from
the bait.
- Choose and use chemicals very carefully!
- Read the label - it has valuable information on proper use.
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