How do you exterminate a pest but leave beneficial insects and the environment unharmed? This article is about how humans created their own pests and how IPM shows the way. But first, what is IPM?
Earth – Shared Inheritance usurped…
In nature, there are predators and the prey. A typical food chain strives for an equilibrium to balance the population of each species. Predators hunt their prey controlling their population. Consequently, inevitably, when there is shortage of food, competition eliminates the weakest of predators ensuring survival of the fittest to maintain a healthy ratio in the ecosystem. Cruel, maybe, but an effective rule of nature that has existed for millions of years.
Humans changed this. We cut down forests and planted fields, stored grains, built homes creating villages that became cities. Garbage piled up, waters were polluted. In short, we disturbed Nature’s equilibrium. The altered environment provided a continuous food supply besides protection from predators, leading to over-reproduction by certain species. Creatures that thrive in such an environment – rats, flies, mosquitos broke the natural order and multiplied rapidly. We have thus created our own pests.
Unfortunately, from the human perspective, these species also cause us detriment. Mosquitoes cause more deaths than you would care to believe; rats have adapted to our environs and become commensal. Termites, benign scavengers that clean up the forest debris, are now voracious pests that eat away your furniture.
So, do we kill indiscriminately to save ourselves or allow pests to thrive, to our impediment ? Actually, there is an option – the Terramica way that we believe is safer and better with simple alterations in our living habits. To manage the environment and keep the friendlies unharmed!
Integrated Pest Management
Pest Control is different from what it was decades ago – the industry uses chemicals and products that have come a long way since the cringe-worthy molecules used in the last century. Technological advances, increasing awareness and environmental consciousness have brought together eco-friendly options that may, at times, not require any pesticide ! How’s that for learning from mistakes?
Know that pests cannot be wished away. They will always be attracted to our homes and our food. To the warmth and shelter from predators. However, with technology available today, it is possible to minimise pest confrontation. After all, killing pests is not the objective; protecting what you cherish is. With knowledge of what wreaked pests upon us, we also gain the power to undo it. This is IPM – professional Integrated Pest Management of the 21st century where focus is on protecting your food, health and property. Your family. Your employees.
The time-tested fundamentals of denying entry, food and shelter form the backbone of a good IPM program. It is possible to minimise pests with negligible chemical intervention – with proper proofing, correct sanitation and simple preventive steps. The food industry will particularly relate to the requirement of such an IPM program .
At Terramica, we believe that integrating wisdom and common sense is the path to achieve smart, intelligent IPM that nudges pest management towards clean and green solutions. To protect your loved ones from pests and at the same time safeguard the environment.
How to plan and implement an effective IPM program is the stuff for subsequent posts.
We are Terramica, amicus terrae, friends of the Earth. Guardians of your Food, Health and Property!
About the Author
I have been in pest management industry for three decades now and enjoyed every moment. Insects play a crucial role in the sustenance of an ecosystem and this has always fascinated me. Currently part of the Terramica leadership, I pursue my passion to promote pest management methods that rely less on pesticides and focus on green alternatives.
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