Integrated Pest Control Management Services

Integrated Pest Management

Integrated Pest Management is an effective and environmentally sensitive approach to pest management that relies on a holistic set of practices. IPM is not a single pest control method but rather, a series of pest management evaluations, decisions and controls.

The goal of IPM is to manage pests at acceptable levels rather than trying to eliminate them. IPM involves an understanding of all factors in plant growth such as soil, water, air, nutrients, weather and insects. The main principles of IPM are prevention and monitoring. Many pest control problems are a result of pre-existing stressors. Pests are not always the cause of a plants decline, but are usually a symptom of poor plant selection, placement, insufficient nutrients or lack of or too much moisture.

How Does Integrated Pest Management work?

1.    Set Action Thresholds
IPM means recognizing that most plant material can tolerate a certain amount of pest damage. We refer to the number of pests that will cause the homeowner to feel treatment is justified as the threshold. For most homeowners, the threshold is based on aesthetics and general concern for the appearance of the plant material.

2.    Monitor and Identify Pests
Not all insects, weeds and other living organism need to be controlled. Many organisms are innocuous or even beneficial to the plant material they live on. Accurate monitoring and identification of pests is an important part of any IPM program so appropriate control decisions can be made in conjunction with the action thresholds.

3.    Prevention
As a first line of Pest Control, IPM works to manage and prevent pests from becoming a threat. Some pests problems can be prevented and managed using cultural practices that are aimed at establishing and maintaining plants that are healthy, vigorous and suited to the location. Healthy plants are less prone to disease and insect problems.

4.    Control
Once monitoring, identification and action thresholds determine a pest population has reached a point at which action is needed, IPM uses a multitude of tools to reduce pests below the action threshold determined by the homeowner. These tools include cultural, mechanical, biological and chemical controls.

Commitment to an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Partnership

A successful IPM program requires an effective solution that is then properly executed. The best results occur when Island Environmental and the client clearly understand the objectives of the program and effectively work together to implement the program. This partnership allows us to proactively address pest issues so that infestations are controlled and conditions that may lead to infestation are addressed quickly.

Island Environmental takes pride in its ability to customize IPM programs to meet a customer’s specific needs. This includes providing clear and understandable findings and recommendations, educational training for employees and ongoing evaluations of the program, which allows us to make necessary adjustments.

• Integrated Pest Management
• Prevention & Cultural Practices (IPM)
• Pest Identification & Monitoring
• Biological Control Solutions
• Disinfection Services