All creatures have their rightful place in nature. However, for most this place is not within the walls of human habitations and hence the need for humans to exercise pest control. While many pest control companies advocate regular prophylactic spraying of homes with toxic chemicals, this approach can have devastating consequences for the health of all living beings, including the occupants of the home. Although pests are effectively eliminated, they eventually return because the underlying structural problems that created the conditions inviting to them have not been addressed.
Integrated pest management (IPM) offers a holistic approach to controlling pests. IPM differs from standard pest management in that the emphasis is on prevention and on the least toxic methods of pest control. The goal is to work effectively with nature to alter conditions without harming the environment. IPM precepts can be summarized as follows:
• Accurate identification of a pest is necessary so that its modus operandi may be understood and incorporated into a pest management plan.
• Careful consideration is given to whether any action at all is required. Entomophobia (fear of insects) is rampant in our culture. For many, the first reaction upon seeing an insect is to kill it. Pesticide commercials persuade us that panic and lightning speed action are necessary. In contrast, IPM encourages an attitude of tolerance to creatures that do no harm. It also encourages rational determination of when intervention will be necessary.
• If a pest must be eliminated, the first step is to see if its current access to nourishment and habitat can be limited. In the case of ants, for example, this might mean cleaning up crumbs from the floor and counters and caulking cracks.
• If a pest must be trapped or killed, the most environmentally benign methods
are considered first. Least toxic chemicals are employed as a last resort.
• If a chemical must be used, then toxicity, risk, and exposure must be carefully evaluated. (Refer to Northwest Coalition for Alternatives to Pesticides, listed at the end of this chapter, for fact sheets on the various pesticides.)
• Careful observation and record keeping are an essential part of an integrated pest management program.
In new home construction you have the opportunity and responsibility to prevent infestations before they occur. An integrated approach to pest management in new construction would include the following:
• identification of potential pests found in the building site area
• research on identified pests, including eating habits, reproductive cycles, habitat, and common routes of entry into the home
• use of construction strategies that will create inhospitable and inaccessible conditions for pests
In general, a well-constructed home will also be pest resistant, incorporating the following features:
• weathertightness
• appropriate grading and drainage
• provisions for the prevention of excess moisture buildup from within, including extraction fans and windows that allow cross-ventilation
• selection of dry wood without rot or infestation for use in construction
• appropriate treatment of exterior wood for prevailing climatic conditions
• screening of all openings such as basement and soffit vents
• removal of all ground cover, leaves, chip and wood piles, and other potential insect habitats from around the building
Throughout the book we have specified techniques for the prevention of pests where appropriate. If you are building in an area with a particularly difficult pest problem, you may need to take measures beyond the scope of this book. For example, if your home is near a shipyard or a row of poorly constructed grain elevators, you may wish to incorporate more rat control techniques into your construction than would generally be specified. We heartily recommend Common Sense Pest Control by William Olkowski et al. (listed at the end of this chapter) as a comprehensive guide to specific pest problems. The following chart provides an overview of major household pests and construction techniques that discourage them.
