The best pest control programs that target mice employ a variety of tools in order to prevent and remove an infestation. Integrated pest management or IPM uses knowledge about the behavior and biology of mice, along with their current environment in order to identify the best control methods that will leave the smallest ecological footprint. In order to achieve this, IPM methods that can be used include monitoring, exclusion, prevention and the use of non-chemical tools first.
Rooting out an infestation
You can think about a mouse infestation like it’s a disease, with the presence of the mice being the symptoms, and the conditions leading to the infestation being the cause of the illness. If you just treat the symptoms, the disease will return, because the causes are still there. So with IPM, the first question is: “Why are the mice here?” You then go about fixing the conditions that led to the infestation in the first place, before removing the infestation itself.
The advantages of IPM
The main advantage of IPM is that it is a thorough technique that aims to remove an infestation and make sure that the pests do not return. However, it is not a “scorched earth” technique. With IPM, the pest control specialist tries to apply a proportional response, in accordance to the size and severity of the infestation.
Not all infestations are created equal. Sometimes you catch it early on, and you only have to deal with a couple of mice, and at other times, you have a fully grown nest on your hands. On top of that, each client’s needs are different, and each project has different constraints or requirements.
All of these factors come together and make IPM a treatment method that is likely to lead to long-term control, less risk for animals that are not targeted, lower costs over the long term, and highly customizable approaches that can cater to the needs of any home or business. Pest control specialists who use IPM will also keep the clients in the loop, letting them know what is going on at each stage of the process.
If you would like to know more about IPM, or if you currently have a mouse infestation, get in touch with us today. We can help you out with any questions you may have, or set up an appointment to take care of the mice in your home.
