Deciding What to Do > Pest Management Principles
"An ecological approach to pest management in which we combine all available necessary techniques into a unified program. Our goal is to manage pest populations in a way that avoids pest damage and avoid adverse side affects."
 

Ecological approach
IPM is based on understanding the interaction of pest biology and site conditions so you can determine if control is need.

All available necessary techniques
A multipoint attack - such as sanitation, exclusion, and pesticides - is often most effective. But to reduce risk, use only those techniques that are necessary.

Unified program
The multipoint attack means applying control tactics at different times and places, perhaps by different people. This effort needs to be coordinated to ensure everything gets done.

Manage
Management involves more than control: it involves prevention of pest problems before they start, such as sealing holes were rodents can gain access.

Avoids pest damage
One of the two main goals of IPM, this recognizes that there's no need for control efforts if there is no threat of damage.

Minimize adverse side effects
The other main goal of IPM, this recognizes that most control efforts present risks; your job is to make sound decisions so as to minimize such risks.
 
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