Hamilton

The 5 Steps of Green Pest Management

Green Pest Management (GPM) is the heart of any green solution to pest management issues. It is the only choice for anyone who wants to minimize the use of chemicals in and around a property while maintaining an effective, diligent pest prevention program.

Simply put, GPM is an integrated, multi step approach that works on a different principle than the familiar chemically oriented pest control, which depends totally on use of chemical applications to be effective. GPM combines prevention and monitoring techniques with a prudent approach to application of materials to render a more responsible, yet highly effective solution.

The 5 steps of Green Pest Management are:

1. Inspection
This is a critical first step that when performed correctly will get your GPM program on track. In this phase, your Hamilton Pest Management Professional will assess your properties risk of infestation. We will identify any existing pests and note cracks, crevices and other points of entry into your property. We will uncover potential food sources, the presence of water sources, and look for signs of existing pest activity. From this your Hamilton Pest Management Professional will develop a prevention plan that can drastically reduce your property's susceptibility to invasion.

2. Removal of food and harborage
In a traditional chemically oriented approach to pest control, all other steps to discourage and control infestations are ignored in favor of introducing large amounts of pesticides into the environment. In an effective GPM program, pests are first discouraged by creating an environment unsuitable for them. This means removing food and water supply sources (including leaky pipes), compost sites, general landscaping debris, accessible garbage and other food sources.

3. Exclusion
During the inspection process, your Hamilton Pest Management Professional will identify specific areas of vulnerability to pest invasion and create a customized plan for controlling and eliminating any problems. Your Hamilton Pest Management Professional will be vigilant in eliminating points of entry into your property. He or she will help you identify situations such as high moisture areas, overhanging branches or debris piles – which could attract pests or provide pathways into your property. This ongoing service has a major impact on keeping your property from becoming an attractive living site for insects, termites and other pests.

4. Judicious usage of materials
Even after a thorough assessment of conditions, development of a management plan and creation of a “pest proofing” program, there may be the need to eliminate an existing infestation. In GPM, material application is just one part of an effective multifaceted program, and should be performed with restraint and focus. This means only those materials necessary to address your specific problem will be used and only in the locations and quantities necessary. The materials we will use will be specially selected for lower exposure and risk to people, pets, non target pests and the environment in general.

5. Monitoring
The final part of GPM is an ongoing monitoring program to ensure that your property maintains conditions that discourage pests and to identify the presence of pests before they become full-blown infestations.