The Lowdown on IPM

1. Integrated Pest Management
I. Definition of Integrated Pest Management
Definition of Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
means providing effective pest control while decreasing the exposure of
customers and the environment to pesticides through least toxic
alternatives and integrated pest management principles.
IPM does not necessarily mean that pesticides cannot be used;
however, any use of pesticides must be consistent with the goals of IPM.
Through sanitation, exclusion, planting resistant varieties, cultural
practices and mechanical means, reliance on pesticides may be reduced
in some instances. By use of baits and bait containers, pheromones, and
applications to protected areas (crack and crevice, wall voids, sub-slab,
etc.), exposure to pesticides can be lessened when pesticides are the
control method of choice. IPM techniques, i.e. monitoring, action
thresholds, targeting at certain stages of a pest's life cycle, and using a
combination of compatible control methods.

2. II. Integrated Pest Management
Integrated Pest Management may include appropriately labeled pesticides when
necessary to control a pest(s) and when allowed by the customer(s). However,
emphasis should be placed on minimizing the reliance on pesticides. Also, if pesticides
are to be used, application techniques and choice of products should contribute to
reducing human and environmental contact with pesticides.
A holistic approach to pest problems is required. This involves both the
applicator and the customer. As a pest control professional, you possess knowledge of
pest biology and control methods. IPM provides you with a great opportunity to put that
expertise to work. This is an opportunity to be paid and appreciated for your ingenuity
in solving pest problems and not just for what comes out of a spray nozzle. This
approach requires greater labor input in terms of inspections and reports. It also
requires better communication with the customer and a partnership (with the customer)
for successful implementation.
A. Site Inspection
A site inspection is the first step in the IPM process, regardless of the category
or categories of pest control involved. The site inspection is conducted prior to pest
control treatments and serves several functions: 1) establishes presence (or absence) of
pests on the site; 2) provides an inventory of conditions conducive to infestations; and
3) gives the applicator a basis for developing site specific recommendations for pest
control alternatives.
Though some pests may occasionally invade, they do not continue to live and
reproduce in environments that do not meet their needs. Therefore, IPM inspections
should focus on the conditions of a site that make it hospitable to pests.
For indoor pests, conditions to consider include:
● food sources ● lighting
● moisture ● furnishings in the building
● harborage ● routes of invasion
● temperature ● conditions outside the structure
● air circulation ● storage areas

3. For pests such as roaches, ants and flies, inspect for conditions such as:
● exposed food ● open vents or fireplace flues
● food scraps and grease on and under
appliances
● structural damage creating openings to
the building
● food improperly stored in cabinets with
access for pests
● improper storage and debIPM
● leaking plumbing, sweating pipes,
dripping air conditioner units, and pet
water dishes
● shrubbery, flower beds, trees, or mulch
up against the building
● poorly fitting doors and windows ● dead air spaces in house or attic
● open doors and windows without
screens
● rotting boards and mildew
● screens in need of repair ● droppings or fly specks
● openings around pipes and wires
leading into buildings
● live or dead pests
● open drains or sewer pipes ● roach egg cases in protected areas
Inspect for rodents with special attention given to:
● live or dead rats or mice ● open drains or sewer pipes
● droppings ● open vents or fireplace flues
● gnawing damage ● structural damage creating openings to
the building
● trails or grease spots along walls or
rafters
● improper storage and debIPM
● noises in attic or walls ● shrubbery, flower beds, trees, or mulch
up against the building
● odor ● exposed food
● open doors ● food scraps and grease on and under
appliances
● openings to crawl space not screened ● food improperly stored in cabinets with
access for pests
● openings around pipes and wires
leading into buildings
● leaking plumbing, dripping air
conditioner units, and pet water dishes

4. For fleas and ticks, look for:
● presence of pets (inspect for fleas and
ticks)
● condition of sheets and other bedding
● pet bedding, sleeping/resting areas ● dirty floors and rugs
● access to structure and yard by rats,
squirrels, raccoons, or other wildlife
● upholstered furniture
● rodent nests ● fleas around lights or windows
● children that may be prone to bring
fleas into the house
For spiders, scorpions and centipedes, inspect for:
● webs or spider egg cases in corners or
under furniture and appliances
● open vents or fireplace flues
● poorly fitting doors and windows ● structural damage creating openings to
the building
● open doors and windows without
screens
● improper storage and debIPM
● screens in need of repair ● shrubbery, flower beds, trees, or mulch
up against the building
● openings around pipes and wires
leading into buildings
● presence of insects and other
arthropods that provide a food source
For wood destroying insects (termites, wood boring beetles, carpenter worms
and carpenter ants), inspect for:
● foraging carpenter ants ● wood contact with the ground
● frass ● excessive moisture
● fecal pellets ● rotten wood
● kick holes ● soil too high on foundation or on walls
of building
● exit holes ● planter boxes, wood fences, wood
piles, debris or woody vegetation in
contact with the building
● soil tubes ● form boards left in place
● buckled paint ● insufficient ventilation

5. For outdoor pests and plant diseases, consider:
● presence of pests or diseases ● slope
● food sources ● exposure (north, south, east, west)
● species, life stages, and condition of
ornamental plants and turf
● adjacent land uses
● soil type and depth ● lighting
● maintenance practices (mowing,
mulching, trimming, fertilization, etc.)
● routes of invasion
● water and moisture ● droppings
● cover
For weeds, consider:
● variety of weeds ● shading
● holes in turf ● slope
● soil type and depth ● exposure (north, south, east, west)
● drainage ● adjacent land use and seed sources
● species of turf and ornamental plants ● type and amount of traffic
● maintenance practices (mowing,
mulching, trimming, fertilization, etc.)
● previous land use
B. Pest Identification
Pest identification is much more crucial for effective implementation of an IPM
program than for conventional pest control where broad spectrum pesticides can be
used to kill a wide variety of pests. IPM program goals require that pesticide use be as
selective as possible. This requires both identification of the species of pest and major
areas of pest activity.
C. Customer Education
IPM can only be partially successful (if at all) without the cooperation of the
customer. The IPM provider must educate the customer about conditions conducive to
pest survival and infestations and steps to alleviate such conditions. The customer must
be provided with non-chemical alternatives for addressing pest problems. Some of
these alternatives may be beyond the purview or capabilities of the IPM provider.
Working with the customer, the applicator should devise a plan that eliminates or
minimizes pesticide exposure while still providing an acceptable level of control. Be
realistic about the probability of success.

6. D. Pest Management Objectives
Establishing pest management objectives should be by mutual agreement
between the applicator and customer. The objectives can vary between various areas
and for different pests. A food processing establishment may have an objective of no
pests in the food preparation and warehouse areas. A homeowner may not tolerate rats
and mice but accept low levels of certain insects in the house.
E. Set Action Thresholds
Action thresholds are levels of pest infestation at which some control measure(s)
is implemented. To conserve resources, limit exposure, and reduce environmental
impact, it is sometimes desirable to tolerate some level of pest infestation. For indoor
treatments, tolerance may be very low and based on regulatory or aesthetic reasons.
Where possible, use scientifically determined thresholds. An example is treatment for
grubs in turf when the density reaches an average of 4 to 6 grubs per square foot.
Trees generally begin using starch reserves when defoliation reaches 25%; however,
surveys of aesthetic perceptions indicate a threshold of 10% or less damage.
F. Reducing Human Exposures
Human exposure to pesticides can be accomplished by using 1) non-chemical
pest management techniques, and 2) using application techniques and products that
limit the probability of human contact.
1. Non-chemical Control Techniques
Non-chemical control techniques include methods to exclude pests,
environmental modification, introduction of natural predators, and mechanical removal
and vacuuming.

7. a. Sanitation
Sanitation as used in regard to pest control includes the removal of food, water
and harborage conducive to pest invasion or survival. This includes measures
such as:
● cleaning up food scraps in food
preparation areas
● vacuuming regularly
● storing food in pest-proof containers ● cleaning sink traps
● stopping plumbing leaks ● removing dense foliage against
buildings
● removing piles of debris, limbs, leaves
and rotting vegetation
● removing diseased plants and dead
limbs
● removing animal droppings ● eliminating standing water
● removing pet food after feeding
b. Exclusion
Exclusion is eliminating entrance to a building or area. Techniques include:
● caulking or filling cracks and crevices ● fencing
● keeping windows and doors closed ● metal plates and shields
● outward opening screen doors ● chimney caps
● air curtains ● bird spikes
● screens on windows and vents ● paint
● weather-stripping on doors ● inspection of incoming items to prevent
importing pests
● grates on drains
c. Traps and Mechanical Devices
Traps and mechanical devices are commercially available for catching a wide
variety of, small mammals and insects. Mammal traps include killing traps such as snap
traps for small rodents, tunnel traps, and various specialized traps for gophers and

8. moles. A number of traps are also available for insect control including light traps,
pheromone traps, sticky traps and various funnel traps using food baits.
2. Low Exposure Pesticide Applications
Human risks and environmental impact can be reduced by using the least
harmful method. Whether using pesticides or other control means, a goal of pest
management should be to implement the most specific control measures possible.
Consideration must be given not only to the acute toxicity of the pesticide but also to
other toxicological and physical characteristics of the pesticide. These include
persistence in the environment, probability that the product will move off site, and the
spectrum of species that will be impacted.
Direct toxicity is one measure of the dangers of pesticides; however, it is not
always the overriding factor in regard to safety. Chronic toxicity, whether the pesticide
is accumulative or rapidly broken down and excreted, synergistic effect with other
materials used, and persistence of the pesticide are also important considerations.
Unfortunately, most readily available information on toxicity is presented as LD50
values which means the amount that killed one-half of a sample population. LD50 or
LC50 provide a relative comparison of toxicity of pesticides but do not indicate the
amount required to kill an individual. Of greater concern to applicator and public safety
should be the no effect level and the level at which mortality begins -- these may be
much lower than the LD50 or LC50 values for many individuals. Additionally, most of the
toxicity data available is from animals other than humans and toxicity can vary
considerably between species.

9. Formulated products may be more or less toxic depending on the nature of inert
ingredients, solvents, synergists, etc. in the product. Consult the Material Safety Data
Sheet (MSDS) and the manufacturer for product specific information.
In judging the toxicity of a product, applicators need to look at the amount of
toxicant in the product -- "the poison is in the dose." Anticoagulant rodenticides are
among the most toxic materials in common usage, but the amount of actual poison in
bait formulations is very small, frequently 0.05 to 0.005%. Consult the MSDS for
pesticide specific information. For products that you will dilute with water and apply as
a spray, calculate the toxicity of the finished product to present a more accurate picture
of the material being applied.
To find the LD50 value for a pesticide spray mix (in
water) containing 0.5% of an active ingredient with a
LD50 of 200 mg/kg, multiply 200 mg/kg by 100 divided by
0.5.
200 mg/kg x 100 = 200 mg/kg x 200 = 40,000 mg/kg
0.5
There are additional considerations other than direct mortality such as speed of
action, reversibility (is there an effective antidote or treatment?), and irreversible injury
such as kidney damage, nervous system disorders, ulcerations of the cornea, and
carcinogenic, mutigenic, and teratogenic effects.
The routes of entry (dermal, inhalation, and ingestion) for a pesticide are of
primary concern. Avoiding ingestion is a relatively easy task with proper hygiene.
Other things being equal, products that can be absorbed through the skin are more
likely to enter the applicator's body even with protective clothing. Fumigants, fogs, and
fine dusts are more likely to be inhaled or evade exclusion by clothing and protective
equipment. Pesticides that are not readily absorbed through intact skin may be rapidly
absorbed through cuts or abrasions.
Considerations in formulations involve a number of factors including: 1) the
concentration of the toxic agent or agents, 2) inclusion of synergists, 3) solvents that
may increase absorption, 4) physical state of the product -- liquid, gas, solid, paste,
particle size of dust, 5) stability -- especially propensity to vaporize, 6) mixing
requirements (if any), and 7) the treatment surface.
Probability of exposure, i.e., contact with a pesticide, involves a combination of
factors previously discussed as well as the equipment used and mixer/loader/applicator
procedures. However, the use of products that are low concentrations, solids that do
not vaporize, ready to use, and not absorbed through the skin minimize probability of

10. exposure. Exposure is most likely with fumigants, vapors, fogs, fine mists, and dusts
that can be absorbed through the skin and inhaled.
a. Timing of Applications
The biology of the target pest(s) and human activities both need to be
considered in planning pest management operations. Sometimes the best time to make
an application does not conform with "normal" working hours. Sometimes a
compromise must be struck between the best time to reach the target species and
avoiding human contact. Try to avoid human contact or entry for the maximum length of
time. Don't make general applications of sprays, dust, fogs, or fumigants in occupied
rooms. Avoid treating in school classrooms when students are present. If pesticide
application is the control method of choice, make your selection based on the
environmental impact and relative safety of using various products. As an applicator
you will come in contact with higher concentration products and increased dermal and
inhalation risks. Also consider that you may be returning to the sites of your previous
applications including protected environments such as crawl spaces, attics, etc., where
degradation of pesticides may be extremely slow.
b. Short Residual Pesticides
Pesticides with short lives in the environment lessen the chances for exposure.
In addition to chemical properties of the pesticide, protection from the elements,
volatility, moisture, bacterial action, temperature, soil and water pH, and sunlight are
important factors in pesticide persistence. Indoor treatments will generally result in
greater persistence.
c. Baits and Bait Boxes
Baits including food, scent and pheromone baits, can aid in targeting pests and
reducing non-target take. Bait boxes can further protect the environment, non-targets,
and humans from contact with pesticides. There are a number of effective rodent food
baits for use in bait boxes. Baits for outdoor or moist environments are made in wax
blocks. Food and scent baits are used for trapping various small mammals in live or
killing traps. The choice of bait can greatly influence the species taken. Food baits are
used for bird control with pesticides and traps. Food and pheromone baits are used for
various insects in combination with traps, glue boards, insect growth regulators (IGR),
and toxicants.
d. Crack and Crevice Treatments

11. Baits, sprays and dusts can be placed out of areas of normal human contact by
deposition in structural cracks and crevices. Not only does this reduce probability of
contact, but it also places pesticides in locations where many small pests seek
harborage. It may be necessary in some instances to drill into voids in walls or under
cabinets to place pesticides where insects are hiding. By strategically placing
pesticides, greater contact with pests can be realized while reducing the total amount of
pesticides used.
e. Perimeter Treatment
Perimeter treatments are band applications of pesticide around the outer
boundaries of an area or along the foundation of buildings. The purpose is to provide a
barrier to prevent pest invasion or re-invasion. Perimeter treatments can reduce the
need for pest control inside the area where human exposure is more likely to occur.
IPM Strategies to Control Pests
Integrated pest management utilizes inspection, pest identification, monitoring,
knowledge of pest life histories, and action thresholds to make intelligent decisions on
the use of compatible methods of pest control. IPM seeks to prevent pests from
reaching damaging numbers. While many aspects of each job will be similar, consider
each structure or lawn and customer to be unique. Determine the conditions that favor
pest infestations and plant diseases. Explore the combination of methods that will best
serve the customer in resolving the pest problem and in making the area less hospitable
for the pest(s).
1. IPM Strategies and Techniques for Indoor Sites
Inspection/monitoring, sanitation, and exclusion are practices common to all
indoor IPM programs. Pest biology, cost, type and physical condition of the structure,
and use(s) of the building greatly affect management strategies and methods. Some
examples of possible IPM strategies for indoor pests are as follows:
Ants
● survey for the presence of ants -- use
of several types of baits may be useful
● seal cracks where ants may be
entering the structure
● clean stove and appliances
● do not leave pet food out
● always carefully inspect any potted
plants brought inside

12. ● store food in ant-proof containers
● improve cleanup after food preparation
and meals
● use bait(s) containing an IGR or boric
acid until ants disappear
Cockroaches
● weather-strip bottom of doors
● caulk cracks in building where pipes
enter
● clear vegetation against building
● remove firewood stacked on porch or
against house
● improve cleanup of food scraps in
kitchen
● store all food in roach-proof containers
● place garbage cans 100 feet from
building
● inspect all boxes, furniture, and
materials coming into the building to
prevent introduction of roaches or egg
cases
● repair dripping faucets
● caulk cracks along baseboards
● improve ventilation in dead air spaces
such as attics
● place roach baits including an IGR
beneath appliances in kitchen and
closets
● consider Bio-path fungus chambers
● use crack and crevice paste baits as
appropriate
● place glue traps in strategic locations
under furniture to survey roaches
● consider boric acid, diatomaceous
earth, or boron dust placement in voids
in walls and under cabinets
● conduct regular inspections for
conditions conducive to roach
infestations
Fleas
● survey for presence of fleas in house
● inspect pets
● vacuum carpets and furniture before
treatment and regularly thereafter
● place pets on a maintenance program
for flea control
● wash pet bedding
● treat house with low toxicity contact
pesticide for adults and larvae
● Confine outdoor treatments to shaded
areas. If the grass is tall it should be
mowed prior to treatment.
● apply residual insect growth regulator
in house to control new hatch
● place light trap for fleas in area where
pets sleep
● re-inspect in 30 to 60 days to assess
need for further action
● if pets go outside, also inspect yard,
under porches, kennels, etc., and treat
hot spots with low toxicity contact
pesticide.
● Fleas do not breed in direct sunlight.
Inspect shaded areas.

13. House Flies
● repair or install screens
● keep doors closed
● install air door over inside doorways
● improve trash handling practices
● locate trash cans or dumpsters away
from building
● insure that exterior lighting does not
attract flies
● use light traps inside the building
where flies will not be attracted into
the building (out of sight from windows
and doors)
Termites
● survey structure and surrounding area ●
for signs of termite infestation
● identify species of termite infesting the
structure or in the vicinity
● remedy conditions allowing
subterranean and Formosan termites
access to the structure (wood ground
contact, wooden fences against
remove down limbs, boards, and other
termite food sources littering the
ground
● if infestations of drywood termites or
Formosan termites not having a ground
connection are small and isolated,
remove infested wood and destroy

14. building, vegetation against building,
cracks in foundation, etc.)
● consider treating exposed boards in
attic and/or crawl space with a
registered borate
● check moisture levels in walls and in
crawl areas. Eliminate excessive
moisture sources.
● check lawn sprinklers make sure water
direction is not hitting the structure.
● check sprinklers to identify faulty shut
off valves that allow water to
continually seep out.
● check gutters for debris and
downspouts for proper direction and
distance from the structure
● for drywood termites evaluate the
exterior exposed wood for cracks
● for drywood termites check the
condition of painted surfaces
● consider use of a termite bait for
subterranean or Formosan termites
● for houses with a crawl space, ensure
adequate distance from ground to any
wood
● provide adequate ventilation (minimum
of 1/150th of area beneath house) One
vent per 25 lineal foot.
● in crawl areas with high moisture
content in wood members that
additional vent installation is
impractical install a 4-6 mil. plastic
vapor barrier over 80-90 percent of the
soil area.
● install subterranean termite monitoring
devices (wood stakes) around the
exterior perimeter of the structure.
Rats
● survey for rats and rat signs
● place tracking patches to monitor for
activity
● seal all openings greater than 1/4 inch
● place metal shields on wires to
building
● place rat exclusion shield in toilets
● place all garbage in rat-proof
containers
● place screens or hardware cloth over
vents
● keep doors and windows closed when
not in use

15. ● place grates with openings of 1/4 inch
(or less) over drains
● place all boxes in storage at least 12
inches from wall and off the floor on
pallets
● store food in rat-proof containers
● eliminate free water sources
● remove shrubbery, vines, and tall
vegetation against building
● trim tree limbs away from building
● remove debris that may harbor rats
● for areas with heavy movement of rats
from surrounding areas, use paraffin
bait blocks in tamper resistant bait
boxes placed outside along protected
travel routes
● place repeating rat traps adjacent to
doors that may remain open for
prolonged periods
● use snap traps or glue boards at 20 to
30 foot intervals along walls where rats
travel
● inspect regularly to remove trapped
rats and for presence of fresh rat sign
● if sanitation, exclusion, and trapping
fail to control rodents, add use of
rodenticide baits in tamper resistant
bait boxes
● if rats will not accept baits, place
tracking powder in inaccessible rat
travel lanes if appropriate for the sight
● if all moisture sources can be
eliminated liqua-tox can be mixed with
water, and placed in locked bait boxes
in inaccessible areas

16. Mice
● survey for mice and signs of mouse
infestations
● seal all openings greater than 1/4 inch
● place all boxes in storage at least 12
inches from wall and off the floor on
pallets
● store food in mouse-proof containers
● eliminate free water sources
● trim tree limbs away from building
● remove debris that may harbor mice
● place all garbage in mouse-proof
containers
● place screens over vents
● keep doors and windows closed when
not in use
● place repeating mouse traps adjacent
to doors that may remain open for
prolonged periods
● use snap traps or glue boards at
10-foot intervals along walls where
mice travel
● inspect regularly to remove trapped
rats and for presence of fresh mouse
sign
● if sanitation, exclusion, and trapping
fail to control mice, add use of
rodenticide baits in tamper resistant
bait boxes
● if all moisture sources can be
eliminated liqua-tox can be mixed with
water, and placed in locked bait boxes
in inaccessible areas