The Relevance of IPM

I take the model pictured at the right into consideration every day.

From M. Buckingham and C. Coffman’s “First Break All the Rules”

You are my customers. The accuracy of the tips, resources, and advice that I give is the foundation of my work. To stay up-to-date on Integrated Pest Management (IPM) in the built environment, I attend conferences, subscribe to listservs, and monitor social media (Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube).

I am often overwhelmed by how many topics fit under the IPM umbrella. On any given day, I may find myself learning about a new pest species of cockroach, how a new government regulation will change the availability of pesticides, or how social workers communicate with residents with hoarding. This week in particular, I am struck by the relevance of IPM to professionals who may not know a bed bug from a cockroach.

If someone mentions “sustainable” or “healthy,” chances are IPM tools are relevant to their work. This week is Fix A Leak Week, National Poison Prevention Week, Termite Week, AND National Social Work Month. Professionals from diverse fields will be joining these conversations and my wish is that they all know that IPM has tips they can use. You can help by joining these conversations as ambassadors for IPM. And if you learn something I should share, please let me know!

1. Fix A Leak Week | #fixaleak | http://www.epa.gov/watersense/our_water/fix_a_leak.html
   An IPM connection: Pests need food, WATER, and shelter. Household leaks help household pests such as the asthma-triggering German Cockroach. Fixing leaks, makes pests suffer.
2. National Poison Prevention Week | #PoisonPreventionWeek | http://poisonhelp.hrsa.gov/what-can-you-do/national-poison-prevention-week/
   An IPM connection: There are non-chemical tools for managing pests—like a HEPA vacuum.
3. Termite Week | #termiteweek | http://www.pctonline.com/PPMA-Termite-Awareness-Week-2014.aspx
   An IPM Connection: share our previous blog on termites!
4. National Social Work Month | #allpeoplematter | http://www.socialworkers.org/pressroom/swmonth/
   An IPM Connection: Pests need food, water, and shelter. Many residents rely on social workers to get advice. Social workers may appreciate strategies to help residents with housekeeping.

IPM can be available to everyone. I hope you will take what you’ve learned, make the connections, and share your knowledge. Regardless of the platform, please include #StopPests so I can find your tips and give you the thanks that you deserve!

Thanks for all you do to help StopPests in Housing!

Comments

[Kurt Treftz]

Hello, Thank you for your efforts around IPM. I own a pest control company on the other coast--Cascade Pest Control in the greater Seattle area--and I peruse various IPM sources from time to time and found yours. I will definitely add it to my list of IPM resources. I ventured into IPM, probably "proto-IPM" back in the 1990's when it wasn't very popular in the industry. We do service various forms of mulit-family housing and have worked on HUD accounts.
Thanks again, Kurt