IPM Treatment and Inspection Techniques
When it comes to IPM, there are very few “standard operating protocols.” Instead, your Gotham professional will assess YOUR unique situation to develop a comprehensive cure to your pest problem, which could include any of the following techniques:
- Applying materials
- Using various trapping devices
- Emptying trash containers frequently
- Keeping trash containers clean both inside and out
- Keeping full trash bags tied securely and placed in outdoor garbage storage areas
- Cleaning outdoor garbage areas to remove debris
- Using tight-fitting lids and/or closed dumpsters to store garbage outdoors.
- Emptying sink strainers and running the garbage disposal frequently to prevent food build up in the drain area
- Washing dishes immediately after meals to prevent pests from consuming food residue on dishes
- Cleaning food particles and grease from kitchen appliances (toasters, ovens, microwaves, ovens, stoves, and refrigerators)
- Storing pet food in re-sealable containers
- Limiting the amount of time that pet food and water dishes are left out
- Storing food products in plastic snap-lid containers or kept in the refrigerator
- Vacuuming and sweeping floors and furniture regularly, especially around eating areas such as kitchens and living rooms
- Cleaning food storage areas and shelves regularly, where pests may be harboring
- Sealing gaps around plumbing, wall outlets, and switch plates to prevent pests from migrating from infested units to others
- Screening windows and doors
- Caulking cracks and gaps in and around the property to keep pests from invading from outdoors
- Running water frequently in spare bathrooms, utility tubs, and toilets to keep pests from entering through dry drainage areas
- Scanning grocery items, produce, and other packaged food products, which may have been stored in infested locations prior to being purchased, before bringing them indoors or storing them
- Inspecting children’s book bags and lunch pails on a regular basis to prevent transporting pests from school to home
- Keeping branches and shrubbery well-trimmed and away from the property
- Removing old tires or other open containers around the property that can fill up with water and provide a breeding ground for pests
- Stacking firewood and lumber away from the house to eliminate harborage for rodents, spiders, and centipedes
- Pulling soil or mulch back from the foundation of the property to prevent termites
- Channeling water from downspouts away from the property’s foundation
- Paying particular attention to the maintenance and upkeep of the property’s foundation