What’s IPM?
It stands for Integrated Pest Management
“Pest management” is the current term for what we once called “pest extermination” and “pest eradication” which is what we softened to “pest control” before it became “pest management.”
You can see the watering down of the claim to exterminate or eradicate.
I remember being the Secretary of the Association at the meeting which discussed what the name of the new organisation should be.
Some thought it should be “control” because “extermination” was so pre-60s and could lead customers to believe we would do a job that would prevent pests forever.
We could kill pests but we couldn’t claim there would not be another population another day.
Don’t over-promise!
I must have been around a long time because years later, I was at another inaugural meeting of the National Association to give itself a name and it was decided the members were “pest managers” so it became the “Australian Environmental Pest Managers Association.”
“Environmental” was included because we were making the human environment a better place. True.
IPM For Property Defending
“Integrated” in IPM is to show that different processes are included in the job.
It makes sense to add some preventive effort after an elimination effort and then make regular inspections. Even better if you reduce some of the conducive factors such as moisture build-up and available wood which encourages termites. Belt and braces plus.
IPM is more than just a high sounding term to impress; it means multiple ongoing efforts to defend your property.
Which is a good thing.
