Structural Integrated Pest Management: a Service of Applied Facilities Engineering and Management

Abstract:
There has been a movement away from relying solely on pesticides to solve indoor pest problems in response to public concerns over pesticide use, pesticide resistance, and the possibility that pesticide applications may contaminate the environment. Pesticides regardless of rating as highly toxic or least toxic should not necessarily be the first choice for solving a pest problem. The new environmentally responsible approach to pest control with less reliance on pesticide use is known as integrated pest management (IPM), involves the safe prevention, reduction or elimination of unwanted organisms. It takes advantage of all pest management options such as biological, mechanical, cultural, or chemical. By combining multiple control measures versus relying on pesticide alone, IPM can reduce pesticide use and thus reduce the potential for harmful exposure to human health and the environment. Most pest control programs generally tend to be strongest in pest biology and pesticide technology. However, much of the specialized knowledge required for an effective IPM program can be more described as applied facilities engineering and management rather than applied biology.