What is considered the most important IPM practice around structures?

The foundation of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) practice is pest problem prevention. This approach prioritizes taking proactive measures to stop pests from becoming a problem before they invade structures. By focusing on prevention, pest management strategies become more effective and sustainable.

Prevention can include practices like improving sanitation, sealing entry points, managing landscaping to reduce pest habitats, and using resistant plant varieties. This method reduces reliance on chemical applications and minimizes the likelihood of pest populations growing to problematic levels.

While monitoring pest activities, regular chemical applications, and pest removal are important components of an overall pest management program, they are reactive measures that come into play after a pest problem has been identified. Prevention, on the other hand, aims to manage the environment in such a way that pests are less likely to thrive, which is a fundamental principle of IPM.