When we go out to a client’s house, our primary concern is identifying the areas where you don’t want pests. Obviously, this is going to be the areas in which you live, but it doesn’t mean we come out and nuke your house and yard, eradicating every form of life.
Yes, occasionally we have a homeowner who says, “I don’t want to see an insect, anywhere, ever”. And we can certainly help with that! But generally speaking, our primary concern is to eliminate pests within your home and other important areas, while allowing certain insects to go off and do their thing on their own turf.
Many insects are quite important, ecologically speaking, so eliminating them from the world is hardly our goal. That would actually be very bad for us, in the long run.
Integrative Pest Management (IPM) is a new style of managing pest populations, in which we avoid over-use of chemicals and use more strategic methods of pest reduction.
For example, many gardeners utilize ladybugs, who feed on aphids. The ladybugs are basically harmless, but they protect the gardener’s roses by controlling troublesome pests that often damage them.
Other methods of discouraging infestation involve sealing around windows and door, repairing leaky plumbing, and landscaping around the home.
IPM won’t always work for every situation. In a full-blown infestation, quick and aggressive action will be required. On the other hand, IPM provides terrific ongoing maintenance to reduce unwanted pests while protecting the environment around your home. It’s important to find the right balance between the two methods.