Integrated Pest Management, commonly referred to as IPM, is actually a program or a group of steps adopted to effectively control pests.

IPM is important because it looks for the best (and most cost effective) way to manage pest problems with the least possible damage to the environment, people and even property.

Elements of IPM:

• Prevention – as we’ve mentioned many times, prevention is key to pest management. Prevention also fits well with IPM because it is often inexpensive and there is little to no harm to people and the environment
• Control – the use of pesticides are of course part of control but there are other methods, and many of these methods are considered before pesticides. Trapping is one example of a mechanical method for control.
• Identifying Pests – properly identifying pests is one of the most important steps in IPM … some pesticides work better for some pests than others and IPM helps to keep unneeded pesticides out of the situation. Being able to properly identify the pest also helps to understand the life cycle which is very important to successfully treating the problem.

IPM can be used in a variety of environments from commercial buildings to homes and even in agricultural settings. Schools are the ideal place for IPM; it’s a safer and cost effective solution to pest control.

If you’d like more information, check out the University of California’s website for their statewide integrated pest management program; the site is full of valuable information on managing and identifying pests in California.

On a side note: Have a thing for ugly bugs? Vote in the 2009 Ugly Bug Contest…the cockroach and the paper wasp are just two of the 10 insects up for the prestigious title.

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