IPM Program and Monitoring

The holistic view of the pest problem (IPM - Integrated Pest Management)
is a Program (system) that includes all accessible methods that are safe and effective for reducing pest populations.
The basis goal of an IPM Program is taking necessary steps to prevent pests from appearing around objects at your location, eliminating the conditions that attract pests, regular monitoring of pests that appear and fighting their presence. (see Details and Recommendations for an IPM Program)

Monitoring
One key element in the IPM system is pest monitoring. Monitoring includes regular, planned testing and measurement of all aspects of pest activity to gain information. This information then forms the basis of evaluating your pest treatment actions in the past and planning the future pest control actions that will be necessary. With the help of monitoring we’re able to recognize pest infestations at the early stage, localize  the centres of pest activity and gain information about the intensity of infestation levels. With proper monitoring, it’s possible to quickly identify alarming symptoms and so-called inflammation points (areas with strongest pest activity), which will allow you to take preventative measures early and precisely.

The goals of monitoring are:

1. Identifying the presence of pests: Determining type of pest and where they appear;
2. Estimating pest population size based on the monitoring device results and trace evidence left by pests;
3. Identifying changes in population over time;
4. Evaluating the effectiveness of corrective measures in case past methods have not lead to desired results;
5. Evaluating the effectiveness of intervention methods used;
6. Identifying the natural enemies of pest or potential pests;
7. Recognizing conditions that led to pest problems: Easily accessible food, natural hiding spots, unsealed openings, poor hygiene conditions in the room etc.;
8. Recognizing decisions and human actions that led to changes in pest populations and influenced the effectiveness of pest control programs (e.g. nearby construction sites, changes in space and facility structures, improperly disposed waste etc.);
9. Determining whether (seasonal) changes in weather conditions affect pest control.

Pest Monitoring Techniques:

1. Asking staff to provide information about the type, amount and times of pest appearance. This data can then be confirmed by a technician / IMP coordinator during a monitoring inspection.
2. Monitoring the traps (maintenance inspections and interventions (Sample of a monitoring-Liste (PDF)) in order to precisely determine the type and intensity of pest infestation. Clear marking of any rooms where pest activities have been identified. It’s also necessary to identify the types of all insects captured and their stage of development. Only when “pest enemies“ have been identified it is possible to take the proper control measures. Pest distribution and population size must be precisely determined. Another key task during the inspection is identifying the pests’ paths of entry to the room, object or product. In determining the origins of pests it’s helpful to gain information about the logistics of the collections and the habits and conduct of staff. Planning of preventative measures can be based on this information. Any broken window panes, cracks in frames, doors and walls, lack of window insect screens, poor room hygiene etc. should be recorded. Also important is ensuring that any problem areas be  resolved as quickly as possible.
3. Assessing the condition of stored collections, analysis of pest trace evidence, bacteria, mold (surface and deep, perforated erosion, markings and spots). Based on a precise visual check of pests, the approximate time and damage and pest type can be determined, as well as verifying the storage conditions that directly or indirectly determine any changes in incidence of pests.
4. Temperature and air humidity measurements to determine any potentially endangered areas from specific types of insects.