INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT STRATEGY

In IPM, pest management is divided into two main parts for easier management. These are:

1. VERTEBRATE PEST MANAGEMENT

2. INVERTEBRATE PEST MANAGEMENT

Vertebrate pests include animals with a backbone, such as rats/mice, snakes etc. In line with IPM principles, vertebrate pests is best managed using the following technics:

1. Exclusion:

Exclusion is the practice of keeping the pest out of or away from (farms, crops,  buildings, etc. Using barriers, such as fencing and durable materials, to plug entrances into buildings or prevent animals from accessing your premises, gardens, lawns or landscape plants, are examples of exclusion practices. Fences must be sized according to the type of pest to be excluded.To be effective, exclusion fences must be at least 6 feet tall. Some experts recommend the fence be 7 to 8-feet tall.

(2.) Sanitation

This is especially important for areas like kitchens, residences and other areas where animals are kept. Eliminate food and water sources. Store food and animal feeds, grain and seed in rodent-proof containers. Repair leaky pipes. Sanitation is very important for managing vertebrate pests in yards. Avoid leaving food remnants,  fruits and vegetables where they are accessible to pests.

(3.) Trapping:

There are several types of kill traps and live traps available for most vertebrate pest species. It is essential to choose the proper trap and learn the correct way to use it. Live trapping and releasing the pest is neither acceptable nor legal. Individuals who release live-trapped animals are moving the pest problem and sometimes diseases like rabies, distemper or plague along with them. Live trapping followed by an approved method of euthanasia is recommended. When using live traps, do NOT relocate pest animals.

(4.) Repellent: In agricultural application new growth on plants must be retreated, and animals may easily get used to the repellent and resist it. Repellants may be applied to valuable vegetation or can be used in areas where pests are known to frequent. They often don't work the way people expect them to work. Sunshine can break down the repellent, and sprinklers and rain can wash away the product.

(5.) Rodenticide Baits:

Baits such as seeds, grains and vegetation treated with rodenticides are used to control several types of vertebrate pests. Most baits must be applied in bait stations or underground within animal burrows to lessen the risk of killing of non-target species. Pesticide labels describe methods for applying the bait. Pesticides used include strychnine, zinc phosphide and various anticoagulants. Strychnine may only be applied underground.

(6.) Fumigants: 

Smoke bombs and various types of internal combustion engines produce poison gases, including carbon monoxide, that can be used as fumigants. This is a very dangerous method that should be avoided by homeowners. As such, only trained professionals in IPM are allowed to use this. 

To be effective, all burrow entrances must be blocked. When using smoke bombs, avoid areas near structures,  stacks, etc. Aluminum phosphide fumigants are available either as tablets or pellets. When applied in rodent burrows, they produce phosphine gas, which is deadly. Applied improperly, aluminum phosphide has resulted in numerous human deaths. To purchase, apply or supervise the use of this pesticide, applicator must be certified and duely trained by the Rivers State Ministry Of Environment. Home owners CAN NOT use these products at home without trained IPM professionals.

WHAT IS INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT?

IPM is a managed pest management system that:

(1.) Eliminates or mitigates economic and health damage caused by pests; 

(2.) Minimizes the use of pesticides and the risk to human health and the environment associated with pesticide applications; 

(3.) Use integrated methods to successfully carry out pest infestation assessments, inspections, pest population monitoring, an evaluation of the need for pest control, and one or more pest control methods, including sanitation, structural repairs, mechanical and living biological controls, other non-chemical methods, and, if nontoxic options are unreasonable and have been exhausted, least toxic pesticides. 

LEAST TOXIC PESTICIDES 

Least toxic pesticides include: This is determined to be a possible, probable, or known carcinogen, mutagen, teratogen, reproductive toxin, developmental neurotoxin, endocrine disruptor, or immune system toxin; a pesticide in toxicity category I or II; and any application of the pesticide using a broadcast spray, dust, tenting, fogging, or baseboard spray application.

A well-defined Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is a program that should be based on prevention, monitoring, and control which offers the opportunity to eliminate or drastically reduce the use of pesticides, and to minimize the toxicity of and exposure to any products which are used. IPM does this by utilizing a variety of methods and techniques, including cultural, biological and structural strategies to control a multitude of pest problems.

IPM is a term that is used loosely with many different definitions and methods of implementation. IPM can mean virtually anything the practitioner wants it to mean. Beware of chemical dependent programs masquerading as IPM.

Those who argue that IPM requires the ability to spray pesticides immediately after identifying a pest problem are not describing IPM. Conventional pest control tends to ignore the causes of pest infestations and instead rely on routine, scheduled pesticide applications. Pesticides are often temporary fixes, ineffective over the long term.

Non-toxic and least toxic control products are a major growth area and new materials and devices are increasingly available in the marketplace.

THE SIX IPM PROGRAM ESSENTIALS 

(1.) Monitoring: 

This includes regular site inspections and trapping to determine the types and infestation levels of pests at each site.

(2.) Record-Keeping: 

A record-keeping system is essential to establish trends and patterns in pest outbreaks. Information recorded at every inspection or treatment should include pest identification, population size, distribution, recommendations for future prevention, and complete information on the treatment action.

(3.) Action Levels: 

Pests are virtually never eradicated. An action level is the population size which requires remedial action for human health, economic, or aesthetic reasons.

(4) Prevention: 

Preventive measures must be incorporated into the existing structures and designs for new structures. Prevention is and should be the primary means of pest control in an IPM program.

(5.) Tactics Criteria:  

Under IPM, chemicals should be used only as a last resort only, but when used, the least-toxic materials should be chosen, and applied to minimize exposure to humans and all non-target organisms.

(6.) Evaluation: 

A regular evaluation program is essential to determine the success of the pest management strategies.