How Integrated Pest Management Protects Public Health

An integrated pest management (IPM) approach incorporates preventive and counteractive measures to keep pests from causing any problems. It protects against any risks or hazards caused to humans and the necessary components to their environment. This method is environmentally sensitive and very effective, as it depends on an arrangement of logical traditions. Integrated pest management programs incorporates the contemporary information on the life cycles of pests and their dependence on the environment. A combination of various pest control methods that are available are used to manage pest infestations in the most economical way by making sure that minimal harm is caused to people, property and the environment. The main goal of integrated pest management is to use pesticides cautiously and reduce the risk of pesticide exposure.

IPM uses the 4-level approach:

1. Identification of pests and observation of their progress
2. Pest control action
3. Prevention and omission
4. Control

Here is a list of the identified public health pests:

• Cockroaches – Cockroaches carry a lot of common disease pathogens that can cause a lot of allergic reactions in people. Cockroaches thrive in cracks and crevices and will feed on most anything of nutritional value, which makes public places - particularly where food and moisture is present - a great environment for them.
• Body, Head and Crab Lice – Lice cause skin irritation and spread louse-borne diseases such as trench fever, epidemic typhus and epidemic relapsing fever.
• Mosquitoes – Mosquitoes spread serious diseases like malaria, zika, West Nile, La Crosse encephalitis, yellow fever and dengue fever if not properly controlled.
• Ticks – The different species of ticks transmit diseases such as Lyme disease, tick-borne relapsing fever and Rocky Mountain spotted fever.
• Bed Bugs – Knowing how to find and get rid of bed bugs is important as the bite of bed bugs causes allergic reactions.
• Rats and Mice – Rats and mice spread rodent-borne diseases and contaminate food which is meant for human consumption. These rodents are very agile and fit through tiny spaces and also carry insect pests like ticks and fleas. They can also cause damage to public spaces through their gnawing habits.
• Birds – Birds are regarded as seasonal invaders but can cause serious damage to public places, usually nesting in buildings. In addition to birds being a nuisance, they can damage your property and contaminate food items. Bird droppings are a common source of respiratory fungal disease and can affect public health.
• Ants – Ants are one of the biggest pests in public places where food is concerned. They can feed on most anything and are one of the toughest pests to control.

How Integrated Pest Management Benefits Public Health

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Integrated pest management identifies, averts and removes conditions that could increase the pest population in food manufacturing units, warehouses and places of public health importance. IPM depends on proper assessment, supervision and controlling of pest activities. This method is self-motivated, adaptable and needs to be updated occasionally as information regarding the practice is received from the management. Implementing IPM reduces your pesticide-related risks and also improves the quality, health and well-being of the environment.

• Encourages a plant-based pest management substitute
• Reduces environmental risks caused by pest control methods
• Maintains cost-efficient methods of pest management
• Relieves concerns of pesticide related practices
• Reduces air and water contamination
• Protects the species which are not targeted by the pesticide and reduces the impact of pest management activities.

Implementing integrated pest management not only increases productivity but also reduces pest damage and promotes sustainable development. IPM leads to better conditions for more than 53 million children in the United States by creating a safer learning environment, reducing the exposure to pesticide as well as eradicating pests. Pest management becomes extremely necessary when pest populations reach unbearable levels or the spread of the disease becomes very evident.

Commercial pest control services are essential to accurately identify and treat the pest infestations. Store-bought pesticide may release harmful toxins, due to which customers and staff can fall ill. Professionals trained in controlling pests can trace the cause of infestation and get rid of it to prevent a recurrence. Pest infestation is a reality and a nightmare for business or home owners, as well as those of us who find bedbugs in hotels or ants in restaurants. It is mandatory to contact a pest control service to reduce the risk of harmful disease right away.

About the Author: Raymond Web

When people find their homes and offices infested with pests, it is not uncommon for them to panic. Raymond Web has taken upon him the task to educate people on pest prevention and control strategies, helping them keep their surroundings healthy, safe and pest-free. Being the digital marketing manager for Take Care Termite and Pest Control, in Tracy, Calif., he has in-depth understanding of people and their pain points due to pests, which he efficiently uses in his content to educate people and add value to their lives.