Principles of IPM

The fundamental principles of IPM consist of:

(i.) inspection, ongoing monitoring and recordkeeping,

(ii.) pest exclusion and structural repair,

(iii.) sanitation,

(iv.) reduced-risk pesticide applications as necessary,

(v.) communication and

(vi.) education

These interrelated strategies are the foundation of an effective IPM Program.

Inspections, Monitoring and Record Keeping

Inspections are the primary weapon in an IPM program and provide a wealth of information about pests and the environments where they live. The goal of an inspection is to detail pest activity present and building conditions that cause pest activity, such as sources of food and water, areas of harborage  and points of access into and through buildings. Inspection reports detail “pest prone places” that require regular monitoring and map the placement of all monitoring devices left behind. Reports should include an evaluation of the severity of any infestations or deficiencies found (e.g. “severe”, “moderate”, “minimal”) and a list of recommended actions necessary to treat infestations or abate structural and sanitary deficiencies. Sample inspection forms and reports in Appendix I can be adapted to meet the needs of pest inspections at SFHA communities.

Subsequent inspections monitor previously identified pest prone places and building deficiencies to insure that any suspect building conditions are remedied immediately. This method of record-keeping and monitoring allows pest management stakeholders to track pest trends over time and provides updates on the condition of a building. Building occupants should also be encouraged to self-report pest activity and structural deficiencies in between regularly scheduled inspections to ensure that pest reporting data is consistent and constant over time.

Pest Exclusion and Structural Repair

Pest exclusion and structural repairs prevent access into and through buildings and eliminate harborage areas for pests. Pests travel inside of walls, along electrical and plumbing lines, in ceiling and floor voids, and on the items occupants carry into buildings. Pests find sources of food and water in buildings where repairs are needed. Areas that provide pests access to interiors and harborage within buildings are called “structural deficiencies”, which must be fixed to prevent pest activity. Limiting pest access into buildings, through gaps under doors, holes in exterior walls or broken screens, and limiting pest access through buildings, in between gaps along plumbing and electrical lines, or under doors from room to room and unit to unit, can be accomplished by identifying and remedying those structural deficiencies, either through structural additions (door sweeps) or repairs (sealing plumbing and electrical lines).Keeping pests out is the first step in preventing pest infestations in a building. The next step is to eliminate areas where pests can hide. Harborage areas include unsealed baseboards, cracks and crevices in walls and ceilings, wall voids and more. Eliminating pest harborage prevents infestations from going unnoticed until it is too late. The condition of a building is directly related to how pest prone it is; however, incremental structural repairs designed to prevent pest access and harborage will go a long way towards abating pest infestations and preventing pest problems over the long-term.

Sanitation

Sanitation is essential to pest control and prevention. Good sanitation habits prevent pest access to sources of food, water and harborage. Proper sanitation limits the resources pests need to live and reproduce. Reducing clutter, cleaning under kitchen counters, and behind stoves, regularly removing trash and keeping exterior trash containers away from entryways will reduce the attractiveness of a building to pests and the conditions that allow them to survive. Minimum sanitation standards should be instituted to minimize unsanitary conditions. The following practices are helpful in reducing sanitation conditions conducive to pest activity:

Store food in containers that are inaccessible to pests. Containers must have tight lids and be made of plastic, glass, or metal.

Store and seal food waste in plastic bags before removal.

Keep indoor garbage in lined, covered containers and empty daily.

Rinse and drain containers with liquid food residues (e.g. milk cartons or juice boxes) before discarding.

Properly dry and store mops and mop buckets (i.e. hang mops upside down, empty buckets and rinse with clean water).

Regularly clean surfaces in food preparation and serving areas.

Thoroughly clean around and under appliances and furnishings that are rarely moved (e.g. refrigerators, freezers, and shelf units) to remove accumulated grease, dust, etc. at least monthly.

Clean food-contaminated dishes, utensils, and surfaces by the end of each day

Safer Cleaning

These sanitation practices are designed to improve tenant’s quality of life and eliminate sources of pest activity. However, many consumer cleaning products can be harmful to human health and the environment. Included in Attachment G is the SF Environment Easy and Safe Cleaning Products for the Home Fact Sheet which provides recommendations for affordable, least toxic alternatives for cleaning the home. By choosing safer products and reading labels, tenants can protect themselves from adverse health effects. Residents can safely dispose of toxic products free of charge by calling the San Francisco Hazardous Waste Facility at Recology at (415) 330-1405.

The IPM Team