When you choose a pest control provider for your long-term care facility, it’s important to select professionals who understand the special protocols required for the health concerns of your patients. You’ll also have to choose between traditional pest control treatments that include blanket applications of pesticides, or the more holistic approach of Integrated Pest Management IPM). Here are some questions to consider.
What Is Integrated Pest Management (IPM)?
According to Epa.gov, the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s website, IPM is an environmentally friendly, common sense approach to controlling pests that focuses on prevention and uses pesticides only as needed. An IPM program also addresses the reasons why pests may be present in the first place to help prevent future infestations. These proactive steps to avoid pest activity can reduce pest problems as well as minimize the need for future pesticide use at your facility.
Why Is Pest Prevention Important For Long-Term Care Facilities?
Long term care facilities are vulnerable to pests for many reasons. Frequently opened doors, foot traffic, visitors, food service, and deliveries all combine to create pest susceptibility. Even if your facility doesn’t have a problem now, pests can enter at any time. Once inside, many types of pests can establish large infestations surprisingly quickly. A proactive, preventive pest control approach like IPM can be extremely beneficial for long term care facilities for these reasons:
- Most pest problems can be treated more effectively in their early stages.
- Pests can compromise your facility’s clean, hygienic environment and may violate regulatory compliance.
- Some pests can carry pathogens that may cause diseases, can be vectors for bacteria, or can bite or sting which may be especially problematic for residents who are sick or have compromised immune systems.
- Illnesses, disabilities, or embarrassment may prevent residents from reporting pest activity, which can give infestations time to grow and spread.
- Once inside a facility, some pests (such as bed bugs and cockroaches) can spread rapidly between rooms.
- Pests can create an unpleasant, unsafe working environment for your staff.
- Pests, or signs of pests, can harm your facility’s reputation.
How Does IPM Work?
The Terminix Commercial® IPM program includes these important steps:
- An inspection of your facility’s interior and exterior: Terminix Commercial’s trained pest professionals will look for signs of pest activity and conditions that may be conducive to pest attraction and harborage. Finding pests in their early stages can help prevent large, difficult-to-treat infestations from establishing.
- Identification of pests and analysis of activity: Correct identification of pests is necessary to determine proper and effective treatment. Terminix technicians have the training and expertise to recognize pest threats and their behavior.
- Treatment of affected areas and implementation of methods for controlling pests: With IPM, Terminix professionals apply pesticides only as needed in affected areas and will implement other control methods as required, taking into consideration the special needs of your facility.
- Recommendations for helping to limit and prevent future pest activity: You’ll get information about steps that your facility can take to help prevent pest entry and to reduce harborage areas to protect your facility from future pest issues.
- Continuous evaluation of treatment effectiveness and any necessary modifications: Pests and the conditions that attract them are always changing and evolving, which is why IPM is an ongoing process. Terminix Commercial will monitor and modify treatment plans when necessary to deliver effective results for your facility.
- Education, if you’d like, of your facility’s staff to address actions and conditions that can affect pest activity: IPM encourages a team approach, so Terminix Commercial’s knowledgeable technicians will be happy to consult with you and your staff about steps that you can take to avoid pest problems.
How Do I Implement IPM At My Facility?
Simply contact Terminix Commercial for more information and a free estimate by clicking the link below. The professionals at Terminix Commercial understand the importance of discreet pest control that’s customized for your particular facility’s unique needs. They also know how to serve the special requirements of long term care facilities, including federal regulations and health code compliance. Put IPM to work for your facility today to help prevent pests tomorrow.
