What is Integrated Pest Management?
Are you interested in reducing pest problems on your property while also minimizing the risks to the environment and people? Congratulations – Integrated pest management (IPM) is the ideal solution for you! No matter where your home is located – urban or rural – IPM can be used to manage all kinds of pests safely and effectively. Keep reading to learn more about the integrated pest management process and whether or not it could be a good fit for your property.
Integrated Pest Management Process
To start any pest management program, you first need to inspect and investigate. This gives you a complete understanding of what sort of pests may already be living in your landscape or home; or help you identify pest-friendly areas that you can then work on correcting. Once you know exactly what pests you are dealing with, you can then research further. Learning the biology of the pest will tell you how fast it reproduces, where it likes to live, what it eats and any special characteristics it has. Once you know all this, you can choose the best ways to manage the pest.
With IPM, the goal is to control pests without harming people or the environment. Listed below are some of the best methods to do this:
• Eliminate pest food, water, and hiding places.
• Eliminate the existing population through trapping, biological control (like cats who trap and kill mice), or pesticides. This is the last resort for IPM and any pesticides chosen are used exactly as they are intended.
• Deny entry into the home. Caulking, filling holes in windows or doors helps keep pests from returning.
How to Get Rid of Mosquitos
A common pest for many homeowners is mosquitos. Using integrated pest management, many property owners find great success in reducing or eliminating their numbers around their property. An important part of mosquito control is making sure that they don’t have a place to lay their eggs. Simply by reducing standing water around your home in places such as birdbaths, potted plant trays, or rain gutters you can begin to natural control the mosquito population. Another effective way of controlling mosquitos is through structural barriers. Making sure your door and window screens are in good condition, covering any gaps in walls or doors, and using nets around baby carriers and beds are all examples of physical structures that prevent mosquitos from biting and potentially transmitting disease.
How to Get Rid of Ground Bees
Ground bees are another pest faced by many property owners. Using IPM, there are many safe and effective ways for dealing with these insects:
• Cover the nesting hole. Blocking access to their underground nest is safer than using chemicals and prevents the bees from tunnelling back inside to lay eggs.
• Wet the Soil. Ground bees burrow in dry soil. Simply watering your lawn could be enough to discourage the bees and make them move elsewhere.
• Sprinkle Cinnamon. This spice is a deterrent for bees. You’ll need to sprinkle this on the hole of the nest every day for at least a week to be effective.
• Use Vinegar Spray. Mixing one part water with one part vinegar in a spray bottle can help get rid of ground bees.
If you’re interesting in learning more about pest management, or think you need help with controlling an ongoing infestation in your lawn or home, the team at Cutters Edge Pro is here to help. Contact us today to discuss what your current pest situation is, and how they can help you remove the pests as quickly and safely as possible!
