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Integrated Pest Management

Western Exterminator’s integrated pest management (IPM) approach is our commitment to providing effective and environmentally-conscious pest control. By using various tactics and tools to create a strategy unique to the needs of the customer, we are able to eliminate the problem while reducing human and environmental exposure to chemicals.

Integrated pest management is broken down into four components:

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1. Set pest thresholds

Each pest infestation situation is unique, so we will determine the pest population and how environmental factors are playing a role in the infestation. Your Western specialist will make recommendations based on a variety of factors, such as:

Pests involved

Different pests and even different species of the same pest can make a difference.

Individual tolerance

Some pests are more resistant to certain treatments than others.

Environment

The environment and weather conditions can play a role in what treatment is used.

Type of building

Different courses of action can be taken depending on the home or business.

2. Monitor and identify pests

Although it may sound like a simple concept, there are several components involved in pest identification and monitoring.

  • Education - Knowing how a pest interacts with its environment allows us to build a customized management strategy.
  • Pest identification - Our expert specialists will be able to make accurate pest identifications from pest sightings or from pest evidence such as droppings, damage or cast skins.
  • Inspection - We check both the interior and exterior of structures for pests, pest evidence and pest conducive conditions, such as excessive moisture or food spillage. In addition, we’ll identify any pest harborage areas and entry points.
  • Monitoring devices - Our devices work 24 hours a day, so they can provide us with valuable information regarding pest types and activity.
  • Client participation - We’re only on site for a few hours each month, but you are there every day. Client input helps us to stay up-to-date on pest activity and assists in identifying at-risk areas.

3. Pest prevention

There are several methods that help prevent pests from becoming a threat and lower the risk of an infestation. These control methods can be very cost-effective and present little to no risk to the environment:

Sanitation

Helps to eliminate food sources, harborage and concealed routes of movement for pests. At every inspection, in both the interior and exterior of the property, sanitary deficiencies are documented with recommendations.

Exclusion

Limiting pests' access to a facility is also a great option to prevent pests. Since the majority of pests enter buildings from the outside, sealing holes and gaps, replacing screens and repairing defects will help keep them out.

Trapping

A preventative way to intercept invading pests by capturing flying/crawling insects and rodents. Trapping devices vary based on need, and include mechanisms such as glue traps, rodent multicatch devices and insect light traps.

4. Pest control methods

Based on your pest infestation, your specialist will evaluate which pest control method will work best. The resulting strategy may include physical, mechanical, and/or chemical methods:

Physical

Physical manipulation of environmental conditions makes it hard for pests to survive. Environmental conditions include relative humidity, light and temperature. Physical tactics include the use of dehumidifiers, less-attractive light bulbs, and heat treatments.

Mechanical

This focuses on many of the same techniques or devices used in pest prevention, such as exclusion tactics and mechanical trapping devices. Mechanical control may also use items such as vacuum cleaners and spider/cobweb brushes.

Chemical

Using chemicals in the context of IPM does not mean that we do not use pesticides. It means that if we do resort to them, we select the appropriate pesticide and make highly targeted applications only in areas with an active pest concern.

The IPM approach

Western Exterminator IPM programs are continuously evaluated to monitor pest levels and keep customers informed in order to prevent new pest problems.

In addition to monitoring practices, we provide thorough documentation of pest activity and any pesticide application used during a service visit.

Call us at 800-937-8398 or contact us online to arrange a FREE pest inspection or to learn more about how you can benefit from Western’s integrated pest management approach.

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